Española Island
The main jewel of the crown of the Galápagos Islands is indeed Punta Suarez on Española Island, there is no doubt about this fact. The oldest of the Galápagos Islands at the surface of the water, this rather flattened low, dry island presents very unique wildlife characteristics: big lava lizards, different marine iguanas, and unique Espanola mockingbirds, among many others.
Just as you disembark, you find this magnificent and very interesting welcome committee formed by colorful marine iguanas, the ones we call Christmas iguanas at that time of year, big sally light foot crabs, colonies of sea lions and a whole different setting with round rock boulders and salt bush all around.
As we continue on the rocky boulder trail, we run into a big display of different species of nesting marine birds right before our eyes. Blue footed boobies, Nazca boobies, waved albatross, and even baby Galápagos hawks were right there at our feet, on the trail taking care, feeding and preening their fabulous and sweet offspring.
What an enchantment to spend the afternoon among fluffy baby blue footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and the prettiest of the waved albatross babies! Even the Galápagos hawks had a nest so close to the trail we could see the cute baby hawk being fed by one f the parents. These experiences were absolutely joyful and filled our souls with light.
For those of us who like finches, Punta Suarez presents three species of finches here at the dry zone; small ground finches, cactus finches, and warbler finches happily flew around. The special Galápagos dove was also around. At the end of this walk, some of us even saw a Humpback whale jumping up and displaying out in the horizon.
The afternoon at Gardner Bay was full of amusement, kayaking, glass bottom boating, snorkeling, swimming and sharing the white sandy beach with many sea lions. Many highlights to golden seal this spectacular day in paradise!
