Santa Cruz Island
Today we expected to see tortoises in the wild, and we did see them, however one of the big surprises were the many new species of birds we found in the highlands.
We spotted the rare and famous woodpecker finch, the pretty unusual vegetarian finch, and the most beautiful land bird of the Galápagos, the vermillion flycatcher. All of this within in a magnificent setting of green vegetation, with giant Scalesias and several kinds of epiphytes hanging from the trees.
The morning had found us at the head quarters of the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we met famous tortoises like lonesome George and Diego. Meeting these big males was a highlight, but the tortoises we encountered in the afternoon were even bigger, and, above all, they were wild animals. Santa Cruz has one of the healthiest populations of tortoises in the Galápagos, and they roam freely in the lush highlands. Unique birds, unique reptiles, and a lovely town in a beautiful island…it was certainly a good day.
Today we expected to see tortoises in the wild, and we did see them, however one of the big surprises were the many new species of birds we found in the highlands.
We spotted the rare and famous woodpecker finch, the pretty unusual vegetarian finch, and the most beautiful land bird of the Galápagos, the vermillion flycatcher. All of this within in a magnificent setting of green vegetation, with giant Scalesias and several kinds of epiphytes hanging from the trees.
The morning had found us at the head quarters of the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we met famous tortoises like lonesome George and Diego. Meeting these big males was a highlight, but the tortoises we encountered in the afternoon were even bigger, and, above all, they were wild animals. Santa Cruz has one of the healthiest populations of tortoises in the Galápagos, and they roam freely in the lush highlands. Unique birds, unique reptiles, and a lovely town in a beautiful island…it was certainly a good day.
