Genovesa Island
We are nearing the end of our expedition this week in this fantastic group of islands. For many of you that have not been here yet, it would difficult to imagine how beautiful these islands really are, the ones that everybody praises. At this time I want you to close your eyes, relax, breathe deeply, and think of the most wonderful place you can imagine. I will help you to build this dream. Think of a paradisiacal place where, like an idyllic heaven, animals around you will be unconcerned about your presence. Think of a place where you can feel isolated with the happiness of your own spirit and mind. Arrays of colors appear, ranging from the purest blue of waters and skies to the vibrant coloration of tropical fish and birds. There is a soft breeze touching your face and a wonderful concert of waves and nature calls.
This is just a brief description in words that are incapable of doing justice to the amazing piece of heaven on Earth that is Genovesa Island. This island is considered to be a true jewel in the crown of the Galápagos archipelago. With only 5.4 square miles, Genovesa Island is home to an incredible amount of birds. It is estimated that not less than one million birds call this island their home. Beautiful birds like red-footed and Nazca boobies, frigate birds, tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, fulfill the most demanding expectations. The red-footed booby, shown in the picture of today, is a living proof of the exquisiteness, naïveté and beauty of the birds of the islands. Elegant, colorful, and striking are just adjectives that vaguely represent the impression this marine bird can evoke in its observers. Not only can we watch these boobies at very close range but we are privileged to observe their behavior as well. I observed with fascination how a red booby worked very hard to obtain twigs for its nest. For starters it is very uncommon to see red-footed boobies on the ground; they nest on trees with the aid of prehensile feet.
This breathtaking island was at its best today. Hiking, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling were some of the activities of our expedition on this island. It was a golden finale for our dream in paradise!
