Santa Cruz Island
We entered into a different reality when we disembarked on the island of Santa Cruz. In spite of all the natural things we were to find, the presence of the largest human habitation of the archipelago gave us a lot to think about.
Our first visit was to the National Park Service Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station where we followed every detail about the life of the giant tortoises. We also checked on the many finches that occur in this area. After analyzing every possible aspect of the tortoise’s life, we walked into town. It was time to contribute to the local economy and to start what we term “anthropological time.” This exercise consists in taking a very good look at everything related with human development and habitation. The ways and manners of the people, their rhythm, their clothing…
Our guests found out that the hygienic conditions of the town were excellent. As naturalists, we felt proud once again for not only within the park boundaries do things work well, but also in places with high concentrations of human beings; although not perfect, things are of good quality.
The afternoon gave us some satisfaction. We found only five tortoises in the highlands, but the encounter was more than satisfying. Many cattle egrets were flying around, jumping from tree to tree in a very special display; they were courting.
A couple of white cheek pintail ducks swam indifferently in a little pond where the tortoises gather whenever they are there, the intense heat of the sun and all the green… there were many big trees in full foliation which make this place dense and humid.
But that wasn’t enough! Most of our guests still wanted to stroll along the waterfront of Puerto Ayora. There are still some souvenirs to buy, maybe a couple of stores still to investigate.
We all got on board before six in the afternoon. Tomorrow we should wake up very early to scrutinize the ocean. We should be well rested by then.
We entered into a different reality when we disembarked on the island of Santa Cruz. In spite of all the natural things we were to find, the presence of the largest human habitation of the archipelago gave us a lot to think about.
Our first visit was to the National Park Service Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station where we followed every detail about the life of the giant tortoises. We also checked on the many finches that occur in this area. After analyzing every possible aspect of the tortoise’s life, we walked into town. It was time to contribute to the local economy and to start what we term “anthropological time.” This exercise consists in taking a very good look at everything related with human development and habitation. The ways and manners of the people, their rhythm, their clothing…
Our guests found out that the hygienic conditions of the town were excellent. As naturalists, we felt proud once again for not only within the park boundaries do things work well, but also in places with high concentrations of human beings; although not perfect, things are of good quality.
The afternoon gave us some satisfaction. We found only five tortoises in the highlands, but the encounter was more than satisfying. Many cattle egrets were flying around, jumping from tree to tree in a very special display; they were courting.
A couple of white cheek pintail ducks swam indifferently in a little pond where the tortoises gather whenever they are there, the intense heat of the sun and all the green… there were many big trees in full foliation which make this place dense and humid.
But that wasn’t enough! Most of our guests still wanted to stroll along the waterfront of Puerto Ayora. There are still some souvenirs to buy, maybe a couple of stores still to investigate.
We all got on board before six in the afternoon. Tomorrow we should wake up very early to scrutinize the ocean. We should be well rested by then.
