Española Island

This morning we woke up just off Española or Hood Island, the southernmost and oldest of the islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. Española was created around 5.3 million years ago, and it has no obvious volcano unlike the other islands we have visited. We anchored off of Gardner Bay, and our first activity was a 7am kayak paddle to the Islet of Gardner followed by snorkeling around portions of the islet. The highlight for many was landing on the beach at Gardner Bay. The beach was a brilliant white beach with bright green vegetation of Mesquite and Parkinsonia. Many enjoyed observing and photographing the plentiful Galápagos sea lions loafing on shore or playing the in gentle surf. We were all greeted by Hood mockingbirds, a species endemic to Española Island, and the Large Cactus Ground-Finch, our 10th Darwin Finch of the trip.

After lunch we were treated to a lecture by Dr. James Watson, Nobel Prize winner for his work as co-discover of the structure of DNA, on Darwin and DNA. The National Geographic Islander relocated to another location off Española Island, just off Punta Suarez.

By mid-afternoon we went ashore for a walk through the terrific seabird colony along Española Island’s western cliffs where we were greeted by the usual commotion of seabird colonies. The walk provided us excellent looks at blue-footed and Nazca bobbies, some with chicks right along the path, and great chances to see red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls flying along the cliff. One of the highlights of Española is a chance to see waved albatross and today did not disappoint as we had a chance to see two adults engaged in courtship displays and a number of juveniles flapping their enormous wings in anticipation of their first flight out into the ocean.

Today is also our last full day on the Galápagos Islands and the end of our expedition. My visit to the Galápagos Islands is fulfilling a life-long dream I have had, and each day has provided new, and unexpected experiences. I am delighted that I was able to share this visit with my 16-year-old son. We have enjoyed great company with our fellow passengers and been treated exceptionally well by the ship’s crew and naturalists. Viva las Galápagos!