The Wild West
How can it be that as we pass through life occasionally we cease to be amazed? Today was not one of those days as one of the most incredible displays was presented to us. We started this day with the early morning light trying to penetrate through the gunmetal grey sky. We continued our navigation around the northern tip of Isabela Island where we spotted some whale activity on the horizon. As we approached the area we had a collective jaw dropping as we approached a group of sperm whales. The sighted group was not like any we have seen in many years, numbering more then 40 with a very tight group of young calves in the center being protected by their parents. We maintained our distance and watched aa large male tail slapping, as it appeared he was calling the group. Incredible action and all before breakfast what more could we ask for?
Arriving to Punta Vicente Roca we were truly anxious to explore further. Enjoying the drastically rough shoreline of Isabela Island we encountered pacific green sea turtles, flightless cormorants, Galápagos fur seals, and Galápagos penguins. Not bad, however something was missing, oh yes, the Pacific sunfish Mola mola and an additional whale sighting just a few meters from our Zodiac. A minke whale female with her calf seemed to be asking us if we had enough.
We promptly returned to the ship and changed into our snorkel gear. Continuing this adventure only brought us closer to nature as we snorkeled with pacific green sea turtles and a pair of flightless cormorants that were displaying as they tried to consecrate their pair bonding for the season. A sigh of wonder as we returned to our floating home the National Geographic Endeavour.
Our geologic child in the Galápagos archipelago, Fernandina Island, awaited us in the afternoon. The seas appeared becalmed, possibly similar as when our first visitor arrived, the bishop of Panama. We approached the coast with caution as the tide was dropping and many sea turtles were congregated in the shallows. Three Galápagos penguins welcomed us as we landed on this austere island to visit the lava flows and to explore. Time well used as the flightless cormorants were coming out of the water to dry their evolutionarily comical wings. Sea lions continued to adjust their positions on the beach while the young pups searched for their mothers. The massive marine iguanas gave us a salute as the sun started to drop upon the horizon. We departed the island as we navigated away from an incredible sunset, here in the Wild West.
