Santa Cruz Island
Early this morning we entered into the calm waters of Academy Bay in the southern realm of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, we went to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center where we learned a lot about the most emblematic animal of the archipelago: the giant tortoise. In fact, the archipelago was first named after the tortoises that have the shape of a riding saddle, which in Spanish translates into ‘Galápagos.’ Its official name is Columbus’s archipelago.
During our walk in the Center we found some of the other emblematic animals of the islands which are finches, famous for the shape of their bill and named after Charles Darwin. We found ground finches and common cactus finches, and all of them looked very busy collecting nesting material. Their songs filled the air and a few males were chosen by some females; others were observed getting food into their round nests.
After visiting the tortoise and land iguana corrals, we had a nice stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town and the economic capital of the archipelago. There we spent some time visiting the local shops, and shared time with the locals and their lifestyle.
After we left the coastal area, we drove into the highlands and looked for giant tortoises in the wild. We saw about nine total, between adults and juveniles, wandering around a freshwater pond and feeding on the vegetation found there.
At the location known as the “Los Gemelos” or “the twins,” for the very first time the naturalists were able to observe a small waterfall formed by the rain which fell into one of the pit craters.
We returned aboard after a full day of exploration and we certainly are looking forward to see what destiny has for us tomorrow on Isabela and Fernandina.
Early this morning we entered into the calm waters of Academy Bay in the southern realm of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, we went to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center where we learned a lot about the most emblematic animal of the archipelago: the giant tortoise. In fact, the archipelago was first named after the tortoises that have the shape of a riding saddle, which in Spanish translates into ‘Galápagos.’ Its official name is Columbus’s archipelago.
During our walk in the Center we found some of the other emblematic animals of the islands which are finches, famous for the shape of their bill and named after Charles Darwin. We found ground finches and common cactus finches, and all of them looked very busy collecting nesting material. Their songs filled the air and a few males were chosen by some females; others were observed getting food into their round nests.
After visiting the tortoise and land iguana corrals, we had a nice stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town and the economic capital of the archipelago. There we spent some time visiting the local shops, and shared time with the locals and their lifestyle.
After we left the coastal area, we drove into the highlands and looked for giant tortoises in the wild. We saw about nine total, between adults and juveniles, wandering around a freshwater pond and feeding on the vegetation found there.
At the location known as the “Los Gemelos” or “the twins,” for the very first time the naturalists were able to observe a small waterfall formed by the rain which fell into one of the pit craters.
We returned aboard after a full day of exploration and we certainly are looking forward to see what destiny has for us tomorrow on Isabela and Fernandina.
