Floreana Island
Earth, wind and fire….and today’s special was water. The sun rose on our Zodiacs heading to Post Office Bay, to the historical mail barrel. This location has been used as an unconventional mail drop since the days that pirates sailed the waters of the Galápagos Islands. As an additional bonus, multiple sightings of Pacific green sea turtle enlivened the trip.
After yesterday’s snorkeling, everyone was pumped and ready for another chance to jump into the ocean. Midmorning saw eager expeditioners hit the water on a deepwater snorkel, sharing the seas with a large number of sea lions. We weren’t quite sure which were more interested in the other – us with the sea lions or them with us. Many photos were taken and no cameras lost.
The activity in the water was mirrored by the excitement in the air as swirling blue-footed boobies dove for fish all around us. Streams of diagonal bubbles, marking the entrance of the boobies into the water, was the only indicator of the birds’ brief underwater flight – it was amazing! All too soon, the naturalists’ call for our return to the Zodiacs came and was (eventually) heeded, as none of us wanted to leave the waters of Champion Island.
We were back on the water by late afternoon, approaching the mystery island, Floreana. Landing on the shore of a green beach, we noted the stark difference of the sandy white beach only a short walk away. Several black-necked stilts and wimbrels wandered in the distance of a brackish lagoon, along with a number of Greater flamingos….their small movements belied a statuesque appearance. The air was warm, the late afternoon light was stunning, and bonds of friendship were forming from the shared experience.
As the day’s light faded and the last Zodiacs brought us back to the National Geographic Endeavour, we reflected on another magical day in the Galápagos and looked forward to the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.
Earth, wind and fire….and today’s special was water. The sun rose on our Zodiacs heading to Post Office Bay, to the historical mail barrel. This location has been used as an unconventional mail drop since the days that pirates sailed the waters of the Galápagos Islands. As an additional bonus, multiple sightings of Pacific green sea turtle enlivened the trip.
After yesterday’s snorkeling, everyone was pumped and ready for another chance to jump into the ocean. Midmorning saw eager expeditioners hit the water on a deepwater snorkel, sharing the seas with a large number of sea lions. We weren’t quite sure which were more interested in the other – us with the sea lions or them with us. Many photos were taken and no cameras lost.
The activity in the water was mirrored by the excitement in the air as swirling blue-footed boobies dove for fish all around us. Streams of diagonal bubbles, marking the entrance of the boobies into the water, was the only indicator of the birds’ brief underwater flight – it was amazing! All too soon, the naturalists’ call for our return to the Zodiacs came and was (eventually) heeded, as none of us wanted to leave the waters of Champion Island.
We were back on the water by late afternoon, approaching the mystery island, Floreana. Landing on the shore of a green beach, we noted the stark difference of the sandy white beach only a short walk away. Several black-necked stilts and wimbrels wandered in the distance of a brackish lagoon, along with a number of Greater flamingos….their small movements belied a statuesque appearance. The air was warm, the late afternoon light was stunning, and bonds of friendship were forming from the shared experience.
As the day’s light faded and the last Zodiacs brought us back to the National Geographic Endeavour, we reflected on another magical day in the Galápagos and looked forward to the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.
