Southern Isabela Island
Today our excitement went to very high levels for we decided to make our visit to Urvina Bay very early in the morning. Our surprise was great when, upon arrival we encountered immense waves breaking against the shore line. After a very adventurous “wet landing” we reached the beach and our first sighting was that of a sea turtle finishing her nesting activities. Slowly she crawled down the beach to the ocean. Effortlessly she complied with her necessity of going back to her element. We were amazed, in high spirits, motivated.
We made the whole round along the trail finding along our way three giant tortoises and no less number of land iguanas. But also we found a trail exuberant with vegetation that grew fast with the presence of the already dying rainy season. We had no choice; cleaning and pruning had to be performed, so we did it. For sure the people who will walk this trail next week will find their adventure much easier.
The afternoon visit broadcasted a great message to all of us. Walking the extensive lava fields – product of the eruptions of Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra volcanoes - made us go into a contemplative mode. Among several other things, the incipient vegetation existing there gave us the hint of how pioneer plants worked out to allow some more generalist organisms get established.
The ponds formed by the subsidence of the lava floor were teeming with small and medium sized fish. Moorhens, pintail ducks and blue winged teals were to be seen here and there. A pleasant breeze accompanied us during the whole expedition and by the end of the day we felt really cool.
Today our excitement went to very high levels for we decided to make our visit to Urvina Bay very early in the morning. Our surprise was great when, upon arrival we encountered immense waves breaking against the shore line. After a very adventurous “wet landing” we reached the beach and our first sighting was that of a sea turtle finishing her nesting activities. Slowly she crawled down the beach to the ocean. Effortlessly she complied with her necessity of going back to her element. We were amazed, in high spirits, motivated.
We made the whole round along the trail finding along our way three giant tortoises and no less number of land iguanas. But also we found a trail exuberant with vegetation that grew fast with the presence of the already dying rainy season. We had no choice; cleaning and pruning had to be performed, so we did it. For sure the people who will walk this trail next week will find their adventure much easier.
The afternoon visit broadcasted a great message to all of us. Walking the extensive lava fields – product of the eruptions of Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra volcanoes - made us go into a contemplative mode. Among several other things, the incipient vegetation existing there gave us the hint of how pioneer plants worked out to allow some more generalist organisms get established.
The ponds formed by the subsidence of the lava floor were teeming with small and medium sized fish. Moorhens, pintail ducks and blue winged teals were to be seen here and there. A pleasant breeze accompanied us during the whole expedition and by the end of the day we felt really cool.
