Española Island
Last night, after visiting Cerro Brujo on the island of San Cristobal, the National Geographic Endeavour headed southwards to Gardner Bay on the island of Española. Here we had breakfast and then a snorkeling safety briefing followed by the deep-water snorkeling outing. We snorkeled at Gardner Islet, where we found a group of young sea lion pups that played with us tirelessly. They were swimming back and forth, and following us on free dives. We also saw a school of barracudas and plenty of tropical fish. It was a wonderful experience for everyone!
Then we went to Gardner Bay where we had the opportunity to stroll along the gorgeous white talcum powder beach, which is an organic formation. Since this a photo expedition, this was the place where you could walk on your own and get the best shots of Galápagos hawks, Hood mockingbirds, marine iguanas and more. It was a beautiful day.
Back on board, we had lunch and the National Geographic photographers gave a hands-on session with cameras and taught tips about photography. In the afternoon we went to visit Punta Suarez on the west side of the island. Since Española is the oldest island, it’s a must-visit place, and here we saw Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, Hood mockingbirds, Espanola lava lizards, Galápagos hawks and the majestic waved albatrosses flying along the old eroded cliffs. They were also courting; doing all the funny steps of bill clicking, heads going sideways and walking in way that makes them look silly and clumsy.
It was a fantastic day and people will remember this forever. Viva la evolución!
