Española Island
We are into the garua season now, and it is quite easy to understand the concept since most of the day was cloudy and breezy. This cool, gray season does present some advantages for us and of course for the islands. To walk the trails is very pleasant, tiny plants are growing and turning green, finches are active flying in big flocks and searching for food and in general, all the species that make up the terrestrial communities are very active.
But, what is new? No matter what the season, the inhabitants of these islands are always in action and new life is sprouting. Being a sea bird or a reptile, a marine mammal or a plant it doesn’t matter. Here in the living laboratory of evolution the selective forces are at work.
Our visit to Española has been a great inspiration today. In the morning we kayaked and snorkeled and strolled among dozens of sea lions on a lovely white sand beach. In the afternoon we hopped along, from lava boulder to lava boulder, and followed a two mile loop trail through sea bird colonies. We marvelled at the tenderness of a mother sea lion with her small pup, the naïve stare of the brown pelican, the roughness of the basaltic rocks and the majesty of the blow hole. Curious and fearless Española mockingbirds hopped upon our towels, pecked our backpacks and followed us on the trail. Pairs of waved albatross danced and searched for their life-mates. One adult bird fed a week old chick and we could practically see it swell as it ingested the rich oil. And tonight, through a thin veil of clouds, the full moon gave us a brief and flirtatious look that we won’t soon forget.
We are into the garua season now, and it is quite easy to understand the concept since most of the day was cloudy and breezy. This cool, gray season does present some advantages for us and of course for the islands. To walk the trails is very pleasant, tiny plants are growing and turning green, finches are active flying in big flocks and searching for food and in general, all the species that make up the terrestrial communities are very active.
But, what is new? No matter what the season, the inhabitants of these islands are always in action and new life is sprouting. Being a sea bird or a reptile, a marine mammal or a plant it doesn’t matter. Here in the living laboratory of evolution the selective forces are at work.
Our visit to Española has been a great inspiration today. In the morning we kayaked and snorkeled and strolled among dozens of sea lions on a lovely white sand beach. In the afternoon we hopped along, from lava boulder to lava boulder, and followed a two mile loop trail through sea bird colonies. We marvelled at the tenderness of a mother sea lion with her small pup, the naïve stare of the brown pelican, the roughness of the basaltic rocks and the majesty of the blow hole. Curious and fearless Española mockingbirds hopped upon our towels, pecked our backpacks and followed us on the trail. Pairs of waved albatross danced and searched for their life-mates. One adult bird fed a week old chick and we could practically see it swell as it ingested the rich oil. And tonight, through a thin veil of clouds, the full moon gave us a brief and flirtatious look that we won’t soon forget.
