Isabela Island
Any given trip to this paradisiacal archipelago provoke in its visitors extraordinary memories and strong feelings. Today has not been the exception. Early in the morning, we had the thrill to observe a very big pod of cetaceans that was formed by two different associated species, short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates). Pilot whales have a pan-tropical and warm temperate distribution. Their pods are generally quite big consisting in not less than 50 to 100 individuals of mixed sex and age. The pilot whales were travelling presumably searching for food in association with the bottlenose dolphins. The latter are cheerful and acrobatic critters. Some were bow riding provoking the admiration of their observers. The whole event was wonderful. For a long time, we floated among the pod with the Islander, enjoying this great sighting. Expressions of admiration and joy were heard everywhere filling the air with a kind of good karma.
Later in the morning, just after believing we could not top the whale and dolphin sighting, we had an incredible underwater encounter with Pacific green turtles. Just like in a dream we were part of their fascinating world. Dozens of turtles were surrounding us, at one point we had to avoid crashing with them! It was an exquisite snorkelling experience that just confirmed the hale of mysticism and magic that only the Galápagos Islands can evoke in its visitors. What a wonderful day, truly unforgettable!
Any given trip to this paradisiacal archipelago provoke in its visitors extraordinary memories and strong feelings. Today has not been the exception. Early in the morning, we had the thrill to observe a very big pod of cetaceans that was formed by two different associated species, short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates). Pilot whales have a pan-tropical and warm temperate distribution. Their pods are generally quite big consisting in not less than 50 to 100 individuals of mixed sex and age. The pilot whales were travelling presumably searching for food in association with the bottlenose dolphins. The latter are cheerful and acrobatic critters. Some were bow riding provoking the admiration of their observers. The whole event was wonderful. For a long time, we floated among the pod with the Islander, enjoying this great sighting. Expressions of admiration and joy were heard everywhere filling the air with a kind of good karma.
Later in the morning, just after believing we could not top the whale and dolphin sighting, we had an incredible underwater encounter with Pacific green turtles. Just like in a dream we were part of their fascinating world. Dozens of turtles were surrounding us, at one point we had to avoid crashing with them! It was an exquisite snorkelling experience that just confirmed the hale of mysticism and magic that only the Galápagos Islands can evoke in its visitors. What a wonderful day, truly unforgettable!
