Bartolomé & San Salvador (James) Islands
On our last full day in the islands of the Galápagos Archipelago, I find that we are becoming integrated into this diverse landscape. We started our day at sunrise on Bartolomé Island. Like the blue-footed boobies all around us, we took in the magnificent view. While the boobies are able to fly to achieve these heights, we climbed to the top of a volcanic cone to look upon these famous, volcanic rocks jutting out of the sea. From the top, we saw dolphins leap out of the sea far below.
After breakfast, we joined green sea turtles exploring the beaches. Normally restricted to the open water, these female turtles may have been escaping overly persistent males. This is the beginning of their breeding season and we have seen many copulating pairs in the shallow waters. It was exciting to witness this unusual behavior of aquatic animals exploring terra firma.
We followed the example of the turtles and next explored an unfamiliar world to us, the ocean. With our snorkeling gear, we ventured into the colorful world of the sea. King angelfish and blue-chin parrotfish crossed our paths while starfish and urchins covered the walls. We were of course not the only terrestrial vertebrates to inter the marine land interface, for this is a land ruled by marine iguanas. Found only in the Galápagos, these are the world’s only marine lizards. This large, herbivorous lizard ventures into the sea to eat the green algae. What perplexes me is how these ectothermic creatures (cold-blooded) manage to thrive on resources that require them to push their physiological limits of hot and cold. Imagine what would happen to you if your body temperature fluctuated 30+ degrees on a regular basis!
Next, we joined the sea lions on the beach to take advantage of the warm sun. We have observed sea lions everywhere on this trip and they seem to have an affinity for the same places we are also attracted to; white sand beaches with a beautiful view. Unlike their cousins, the Galápagos fur seal (actually a fur “sea lion”) who prefer the added shelter of rocky crevices, sea lions don’t seem to have a care in the would as they lie in the sun as if they were also on vacation.
Our day ended on Santiago Island with the setting sun. All around us, our daytime companions started to settle in for the night. Iguanas form massive piles under bushes and ledges to keep their body temperatures from dropping too low and sea lion pups search out their mothers after playing in the tide pools. Some, like the swallow-tailed gull are just beginning their day. These nocturnal birds, with their large eyes, search the seas for squid after the sun goes down. We take our cue and head pack to the National Geographic Polaris, and say goodbye to our new friends, furred, feathered, and scaled, in the Galápagos.
On our last full day in the islands of the Galápagos Archipelago, I find that we are becoming integrated into this diverse landscape. We started our day at sunrise on Bartolomé Island. Like the blue-footed boobies all around us, we took in the magnificent view. While the boobies are able to fly to achieve these heights, we climbed to the top of a volcanic cone to look upon these famous, volcanic rocks jutting out of the sea. From the top, we saw dolphins leap out of the sea far below.
After breakfast, we joined green sea turtles exploring the beaches. Normally restricted to the open water, these female turtles may have been escaping overly persistent males. This is the beginning of their breeding season and we have seen many copulating pairs in the shallow waters. It was exciting to witness this unusual behavior of aquatic animals exploring terra firma.
We followed the example of the turtles and next explored an unfamiliar world to us, the ocean. With our snorkeling gear, we ventured into the colorful world of the sea. King angelfish and blue-chin parrotfish crossed our paths while starfish and urchins covered the walls. We were of course not the only terrestrial vertebrates to inter the marine land interface, for this is a land ruled by marine iguanas. Found only in the Galápagos, these are the world’s only marine lizards. This large, herbivorous lizard ventures into the sea to eat the green algae. What perplexes me is how these ectothermic creatures (cold-blooded) manage to thrive on resources that require them to push their physiological limits of hot and cold. Imagine what would happen to you if your body temperature fluctuated 30+ degrees on a regular basis!
Next, we joined the sea lions on the beach to take advantage of the warm sun. We have observed sea lions everywhere on this trip and they seem to have an affinity for the same places we are also attracted to; white sand beaches with a beautiful view. Unlike their cousins, the Galápagos fur seal (actually a fur “sea lion”) who prefer the added shelter of rocky crevices, sea lions don’t seem to have a care in the would as they lie in the sun as if they were also on vacation.
Our day ended on Santiago Island with the setting sun. All around us, our daytime companions started to settle in for the night. Iguanas form massive piles under bushes and ledges to keep their body temperatures from dropping too low and sea lion pups search out their mothers after playing in the tide pools. Some, like the swallow-tailed gull are just beginning their day. These nocturnal birds, with their large eyes, search the seas for squid after the sun goes down. We take our cue and head pack to the National Geographic Polaris, and say goodbye to our new friends, furred, feathered, and scaled, in the Galápagos.
