BARTOLOME & SANTIAGO ISLANDS
How can I find words to describe what I felt, or what I have experienced this week? I am beginning my eighteenth year of natural history interpretation here in the islands. While I still enjoy what I do, I am also learning and experiencing something new all the time.
Today was a good example of new experiences and surprises. It started with an early hike to the top of the summit of Bartolomé, which gave us a great view of the whole island of Santiago across the water. The early morning exercise (376 stairs up the slope) left us invigorated and ready to start the day, but we did not know that the big event was still to come.
Later that morning we landed on another part of the island, the white-yellow sandy beach of Bartolomé. As we were walking across a large sand dune, one our naturalists spotted a female turtle that had slid to the bottom of the dune. We all initially thought she was dead, but a moment later she lifted her head and we knew that she needed help. We formed a rescue team comprised of three naturalists and one Zodiac driver and struggled to get in position to carry the turtle to the top of the dune. Once we got the turtle to the top, we thought that she would be able to get back into the water on her own. However, she was exhausted and dehydrated and obviously needed more assistance. We took her to the edge of the beach and everyone celebrated when she made it to the water’s edge on her own.
Simultaneously, another group from the Polaris was further down the beach entranced in the journey of three small sea turtle hatchlings. While traveling from their nest to the ocean, a Galapagos hawk was intent on feeding on the helpless turtle hatchlings. Watching their perilous journey along jagged lava and exposed sand beach truly conveyed the danger of new life on these islands. The experience was a mixture of relief that the turtle hatchlings made it to the water safely, but apprehension about the future of the hatchlings making their way into the ocean on their own.
Ending the day’s activities, we hiked along the coastline of Santiago Island. This was a good way to end the trip since we witnessed many sea lions, fur seals, crabs, marine iguanas and birds living in the same area along the coast. I think that all of the guests are taking away a better understanding of the meaning of life.
How can I find words to describe what I felt, or what I have experienced this week? I am beginning my eighteenth year of natural history interpretation here in the islands. While I still enjoy what I do, I am also learning and experiencing something new all the time.
Today was a good example of new experiences and surprises. It started with an early hike to the top of the summit of Bartolomé, which gave us a great view of the whole island of Santiago across the water. The early morning exercise (376 stairs up the slope) left us invigorated and ready to start the day, but we did not know that the big event was still to come.
Later that morning we landed on another part of the island, the white-yellow sandy beach of Bartolomé. As we were walking across a large sand dune, one our naturalists spotted a female turtle that had slid to the bottom of the dune. We all initially thought she was dead, but a moment later she lifted her head and we knew that she needed help. We formed a rescue team comprised of three naturalists and one Zodiac driver and struggled to get in position to carry the turtle to the top of the dune. Once we got the turtle to the top, we thought that she would be able to get back into the water on her own. However, she was exhausted and dehydrated and obviously needed more assistance. We took her to the edge of the beach and everyone celebrated when she made it to the water’s edge on her own.
Simultaneously, another group from the Polaris was further down the beach entranced in the journey of three small sea turtle hatchlings. While traveling from their nest to the ocean, a Galapagos hawk was intent on feeding on the helpless turtle hatchlings. Watching their perilous journey along jagged lava and exposed sand beach truly conveyed the danger of new life on these islands. The experience was a mixture of relief that the turtle hatchlings made it to the water safely, but apprehension about the future of the hatchlings making their way into the ocean on their own.
Ending the day’s activities, we hiked along the coastline of Santiago Island. This was a good way to end the trip since we witnessed many sea lions, fur seals, crabs, marine iguanas and birds living in the same area along the coast. I think that all of the guests are taking away a better understanding of the meaning of life.
