Floreana Island
We had another early wake up this morning, for an interesting visit to the post office barrel on Floreana. Recalling the days when whalers left their mail in a similar barrel, we left our cards and sorted through the ones that were there to take home to deliver if possible. We found a large flock of more than a hundred resting whimbrels on the landing beach. Groups of whimbrels this large are seldom seen in Galápagos. After the short visit to the P.O. barrel, we returned to the Zodiacs to explore the islets of “La Lobería.” Here on the beaches and rocky lava shore, we observed several large and noisy male sea lions guarding territories. There were not many females around. Because of the very low tide, it was easy to see several sea turtles foraging for algae on the rocks.
We boarded the ship for breakfast, and by mid morning, we were out again, snorkelling around Champion Islet. After a couple of not so excellent snorkel outings, we were thrilled by the magnificence of this place! Fish of many colors and sizes streamed past us, feeding on the column of plankton in the surf. Diamond sting rays, spotted eagle rays, sea lions, and other marine creatures surrounded us. Time almost seemed to have stopped. We spent over an hour in the water with a pleasant water temperature and incredible visibility. No one was in a hurry to get out.
In the afternoon, the experienced snorkelers among us were challenged by a strong current and deep water off Devil’s Crown. We were able to see many fish, some quite large, and sharks and rays. The kayakers paddled up the coast to La Loberia and enjoyed close encounters with sea turtles, sea lions and penguins. One feels so much closer to the wildlife when you are in a kayak and down at their level.
On the trail at Punta Cormorant, Mother Nature gifted us with a fantastic golden light that glowed off the flamingos. There was a two week old “flaminguito,” the only survivor of the recent nesting season, and several white-cheeked pintail ducks. We saw a few Franklin’s gulls, which are migratory birds and are just arriving to the islands. They are never very numerous, but are seen here in the beginning of each year.
As you can see from today’s photo of the P. O. barrel, Floreana is extremely dry. The rains are late again this year. Let us just hope that they come soon!
We had another early wake up this morning, for an interesting visit to the post office barrel on Floreana. Recalling the days when whalers left their mail in a similar barrel, we left our cards and sorted through the ones that were there to take home to deliver if possible. We found a large flock of more than a hundred resting whimbrels on the landing beach. Groups of whimbrels this large are seldom seen in Galápagos. After the short visit to the P.O. barrel, we returned to the Zodiacs to explore the islets of “La Lobería.” Here on the beaches and rocky lava shore, we observed several large and noisy male sea lions guarding territories. There were not many females around. Because of the very low tide, it was easy to see several sea turtles foraging for algae on the rocks.
We boarded the ship for breakfast, and by mid morning, we were out again, snorkelling around Champion Islet. After a couple of not so excellent snorkel outings, we were thrilled by the magnificence of this place! Fish of many colors and sizes streamed past us, feeding on the column of plankton in the surf. Diamond sting rays, spotted eagle rays, sea lions, and other marine creatures surrounded us. Time almost seemed to have stopped. We spent over an hour in the water with a pleasant water temperature and incredible visibility. No one was in a hurry to get out.
In the afternoon, the experienced snorkelers among us were challenged by a strong current and deep water off Devil’s Crown. We were able to see many fish, some quite large, and sharks and rays. The kayakers paddled up the coast to La Loberia and enjoyed close encounters with sea turtles, sea lions and penguins. One feels so much closer to the wildlife when you are in a kayak and down at their level.
On the trail at Punta Cormorant, Mother Nature gifted us with a fantastic golden light that glowed off the flamingos. There was a two week old “flaminguito,” the only survivor of the recent nesting season, and several white-cheeked pintail ducks. We saw a few Franklin’s gulls, which are migratory birds and are just arriving to the islands. They are never very numerous, but are seen here in the beginning of each year.
As you can see from today’s photo of the P. O. barrel, Floreana is extremely dry. The rains are late again this year. Let us just hope that they come soon!
