North Seymour & Rabida Islands
Red was our color today! In the morning the highlight was the bright red color of male frigatebirds; they inflate a pouch that looks like a red balloon, which they show off to the female frigatebirds flying around. To impress them they move their wings with enthusiasm as they make their call, different for every species. In the Galápagos Islands we have two species of frigatebirds: the Great and the Magnificent.
Of course the blue-footed boobies were no less attractive with their funny dance, their calls and their landings. The island of Seymour is full of life, especially at this time in the year; the warm season is here and with it, the rain. Rain brings life to plants, plants will attract insects and herbivores like the Galápagos land iguanas; insects and seeds are food for many land birds and lava lizards… And the result of all of this is was an amazing display of activities on the island today.
Snorkeling was impressive with sharks and rays; we spotted some garden eels on the bottom. And the display of colors of all the different species of fish was just marvelous!
In the afternoon we arrived at the Red Island: Rabida. The color of the island itself reflects the oxidation of the iron of our basaltic lava. The cliffs, the soil, and the overall landscape are red in color. And under the water as well! The bottom is full of Panamic cushion sea stars. After the water activities: kayaking, snorkeling and glass-bottom boating, the walk on the red trail was a relaxing way of ending this wonderful day, our red day!
