Genovesa Island
There must have been a storm somewhere in the Eastern Pacific, because huge waves received us in the morning, waves that invaded the very heart of the volcanic caldera where we were anchored. But the swell did not bring fear, just enjoyment. Our spirit of adventure increased with the challenge of driving through white caps to land quickly on a coralline beach.
Thanks to the high tide and rough seas, the animals had all congregated on the beach, at the landing site. We encountered swallow-tailed gulls (adults and chicks), red-footed boobies, frigate birds (a few males who showed signs of wanting to start up the breeding season), Nazca boobies, sea lions, ruddy turnstones and even a Franklin’s gull, a rare visitor in the winter time.
The waves didn’t keep us from snorkeling either, and along the inner part of the caldera we found lots of beautiful, tropical fish.
In the afternoon we faced a greater challenge, to find a rare species, the short-eared owl. After landing on lava, climbing some natural steps on the cliff, and after crossing the entire peninsula, from the inner part of the caldera to the outer side, we encountered, not one, but two short-eared owls.
Whatever it was that had caused the rough seas, brought us beauty and good luck.
There must have been a storm somewhere in the Eastern Pacific, because huge waves received us in the morning, waves that invaded the very heart of the volcanic caldera where we were anchored. But the swell did not bring fear, just enjoyment. Our spirit of adventure increased with the challenge of driving through white caps to land quickly on a coralline beach.
Thanks to the high tide and rough seas, the animals had all congregated on the beach, at the landing site. We encountered swallow-tailed gulls (adults and chicks), red-footed boobies, frigate birds (a few males who showed signs of wanting to start up the breeding season), Nazca boobies, sea lions, ruddy turnstones and even a Franklin’s gull, a rare visitor in the winter time.
The waves didn’t keep us from snorkeling either, and along the inner part of the caldera we found lots of beautiful, tropical fish.
In the afternoon we faced a greater challenge, to find a rare species, the short-eared owl. After landing on lava, climbing some natural steps on the cliff, and after crossing the entire peninsula, from the inner part of the caldera to the outer side, we encountered, not one, but two short-eared owls.
Whatever it was that had caused the rough seas, brought us beauty and good luck.
