Santa Cruz and North Seymour Island
Before the wake up call some of the early racers were already contemplating the sunrise and eager to start the daily activities. This time our expedition would take place in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Here, the Galápagos giant tortoises were our main objective. These magnificent, long-lived reptiles have been for several centuries hunted and collected as food, and fortunately, there is still large numbers in each of their populations, thanks to the conservation work carried out by the National Park Service.
A short bus ride took us to the centre of the island of Santa Cruz where the introduced vegetation has re-shaped the landscape. It is here in the highlands where one can find big trees and land covered with grass, as well as some tropical fruits such as the passion fruit (that for a long time has been part of the diet of these harmless giants).
Once there, we could understand the importance of these large herbivores for the science and the natural history of this cluster of islands known as the show case of evolution. As our walk took place early in the morning, we could enjoy the cool breeze and the songs of the famous Darwin’s finches as we were strolling on the path.
Another interesting feature of the island was the lava tube where we took a relaxed underground walk. This lava formation is so interesting because it shows part of the volcanic activity that the island underwent in its very beginning. It gave us a fit idea of how those huge rivers of molten lava were flowing all over and around, way before the arrival of the giant tortoises.
Later in the afternoon, we got to the island of North Seymour. This is the home to thousands of sea birds, but particularly to the blue footed boobies and frigate birds. The last ones were showing their magnificent red pouches, dotting the green vegetation with the charming appearance of red fruits all over.
With the unmistakable blue footed boobies with their nuptial dance and whistling, plus the sounds of the frigate birds courting and later on the sunset, we called it a day, a very terrific one!
Before the wake up call some of the early racers were already contemplating the sunrise and eager to start the daily activities. This time our expedition would take place in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Here, the Galápagos giant tortoises were our main objective. These magnificent, long-lived reptiles have been for several centuries hunted and collected as food, and fortunately, there is still large numbers in each of their populations, thanks to the conservation work carried out by the National Park Service.
A short bus ride took us to the centre of the island of Santa Cruz where the introduced vegetation has re-shaped the landscape. It is here in the highlands where one can find big trees and land covered with grass, as well as some tropical fruits such as the passion fruit (that for a long time has been part of the diet of these harmless giants).
Once there, we could understand the importance of these large herbivores for the science and the natural history of this cluster of islands known as the show case of evolution. As our walk took place early in the morning, we could enjoy the cool breeze and the songs of the famous Darwin’s finches as we were strolling on the path.
Another interesting feature of the island was the lava tube where we took a relaxed underground walk. This lava formation is so interesting because it shows part of the volcanic activity that the island underwent in its very beginning. It gave us a fit idea of how those huge rivers of molten lava were flowing all over and around, way before the arrival of the giant tortoises.
Later in the afternoon, we got to the island of North Seymour. This is the home to thousands of sea birds, but particularly to the blue footed boobies and frigate birds. The last ones were showing their magnificent red pouches, dotting the green vegetation with the charming appearance of red fruits all over.
With the unmistakable blue footed boobies with their nuptial dance and whistling, plus the sounds of the frigate birds courting and later on the sunset, we called it a day, a very terrific one!
