Bartholome and Santiago Island
Early this morning, just as the sun was rising, we cruised out in Zodiacs to make our landing on the island of Bartholome. A sea lion was sleeping and had to be disturbed for our arrival. Recuperation was fast, however, as before the last Zodiac reached the landing, he was back as before, wet from the quick dip. The volcanic ash under our feet was damp as well. The dampness was very unusual because Bartholome lies in the rain shadow of Santa Cruz Island to the southeast. However we are in the rainy season these days, and the Galapagos climate is coming from the northeast now. Rain clouds have been seen and occasionally felt as they pass through. Bright sun shone as we snorkeled off the beaches both morning and afternoon. It is a rich feeling to float in 80-degree water.
I’m truly impressed, as I am always with the islands, to see the drastic and rapid changes in vegetation when the rains begin. Santiago has taken on a frosting of green, but has yet to reach ground level, which will come soon. For now, the Palo Santo trees have blossomed and sprouted.
We’ve had marvelous and moving experiences this week. We’ve gone from booby chicks to flamingo chicks, sea lion kisses and whisker tickles to dolphin leaps and sunfish breachings. Sunrises of orange overpower the Southern Cross at dawn. This afternoon, if anyone had seen us, they would have thought us crazy. Under the equatorial sun (before the clouds), we stood in silence, unmoving, for long periods of time with our hats off. If they had seen us closer, they would have noticed our eyes sliding back and forth, searching at the edges of our field of vision. We were offering ourselves, specifically our hair, to the Galapagos flycatchers. Short hair preferred. None was accepted, unfortunately, though all of us heard the flutter of wings in our ears as they hovered briefly, considering their options. Green algae on the edges of cavernous holes filled and emptied with the swells as the afternoon sun highlighted pieces of color all around us.
Our hearts and minds have grown around these days, and will keep the memories deep inside for a long time to come.
Early this morning, just as the sun was rising, we cruised out in Zodiacs to make our landing on the island of Bartholome. A sea lion was sleeping and had to be disturbed for our arrival. Recuperation was fast, however, as before the last Zodiac reached the landing, he was back as before, wet from the quick dip. The volcanic ash under our feet was damp as well. The dampness was very unusual because Bartholome lies in the rain shadow of Santa Cruz Island to the southeast. However we are in the rainy season these days, and the Galapagos climate is coming from the northeast now. Rain clouds have been seen and occasionally felt as they pass through. Bright sun shone as we snorkeled off the beaches both morning and afternoon. It is a rich feeling to float in 80-degree water.
I’m truly impressed, as I am always with the islands, to see the drastic and rapid changes in vegetation when the rains begin. Santiago has taken on a frosting of green, but has yet to reach ground level, which will come soon. For now, the Palo Santo trees have blossomed and sprouted.
We’ve had marvelous and moving experiences this week. We’ve gone from booby chicks to flamingo chicks, sea lion kisses and whisker tickles to dolphin leaps and sunfish breachings. Sunrises of orange overpower the Southern Cross at dawn. This afternoon, if anyone had seen us, they would have thought us crazy. Under the equatorial sun (before the clouds), we stood in silence, unmoving, for long periods of time with our hats off. If they had seen us closer, they would have noticed our eyes sliding back and forth, searching at the edges of our field of vision. We were offering ourselves, specifically our hair, to the Galapagos flycatchers. Short hair preferred. None was accepted, unfortunately, though all of us heard the flutter of wings in our ears as they hovered briefly, considering their options. Green algae on the edges of cavernous holes filled and emptied with the swells as the afternoon sun highlighted pieces of color all around us.
Our hearts and minds have grown around these days, and will keep the memories deep inside for a long time to come.
