Cerro Dragon & Sombrero Chino
We started our sunny day walking a 1.5 mile loop trail in the verdant Cerro Dragon region of Isla Santa Cruz; named after the abundant large land iguanas with snout to vent lengths in excess of 70 centimeters. The sublime primal landscape led the eye passed dramatically chiseled tuff and tephra cones.
If there could be a landside equivalent of a feeding frenzy in Galápagos, this was it. One could smell the recent rains, and the plants were leafing, flowering and fruiting in an accelerated life cycle festival. Of course the insects, both pollinating and herbivorous, were celebrating. Every land iguana was eating its full. Our team spotted several traces of introduced feral cat tracks and we wondered what impact this made on the native fauna.
Late morning we snorkeled over to islet Guy Fawkes. Two snorkel teams began at either end of the route and we passed each other mid snorkel. Our team went against a gentle current. We were quickly discovered by Sea Lions who took great interest in us; especially those who did surface dives. They would spin about us like 360 gyroscopes and then come in for an obligatory bubble-blow, sometimes a few inches from our masks! The islet submarine walls are covered with life. A hammerhead shark was spotted 20 meters off the spire!
We started the afternoon with a LEXForum discussion on “Restoring Ecosystems to Preserve Biodiversity, Sharing Examples from around the Globe”. Following a brief introduction by our Expedition Leader, our naturalists and guests had a discussion regarding the Galapagos challenges and opportunities.
In the afternoon we sailed to Sombrero China. This area has recently opened up to snorkeling. The low cliffs had many caves and fractures providing for diverse submarine habitats. With more habitat the species number was higher. 5 sea star species. And three butterfly fish species. The walls themselves were covered with pink coralline algae, orange encrusting sponge, green, red and brown algaes, purple colonial anemonies. Full coverage. A canvas of life! And suddenly this became ever more animate with a marine iguana ripping canvas algae. Using jerky head motions, continuously regripping the boulder surface; custom designed tooth and claw.
We started our sunny day walking a 1.5 mile loop trail in the verdant Cerro Dragon region of Isla Santa Cruz; named after the abundant large land iguanas with snout to vent lengths in excess of 70 centimeters. The sublime primal landscape led the eye passed dramatically chiseled tuff and tephra cones.
If there could be a landside equivalent of a feeding frenzy in Galápagos, this was it. One could smell the recent rains, and the plants were leafing, flowering and fruiting in an accelerated life cycle festival. Of course the insects, both pollinating and herbivorous, were celebrating. Every land iguana was eating its full. Our team spotted several traces of introduced feral cat tracks and we wondered what impact this made on the native fauna.
Late morning we snorkeled over to islet Guy Fawkes. Two snorkel teams began at either end of the route and we passed each other mid snorkel. Our team went against a gentle current. We were quickly discovered by Sea Lions who took great interest in us; especially those who did surface dives. They would spin about us like 360 gyroscopes and then come in for an obligatory bubble-blow, sometimes a few inches from our masks! The islet submarine walls are covered with life. A hammerhead shark was spotted 20 meters off the spire!
We started the afternoon with a LEXForum discussion on “Restoring Ecosystems to Preserve Biodiversity, Sharing Examples from around the Globe”. Following a brief introduction by our Expedition Leader, our naturalists and guests had a discussion regarding the Galapagos challenges and opportunities.
In the afternoon we sailed to Sombrero China. This area has recently opened up to snorkeling. The low cliffs had many caves and fractures providing for diverse submarine habitats. With more habitat the species number was higher. 5 sea star species. And three butterfly fish species. The walls themselves were covered with pink coralline algae, orange encrusting sponge, green, red and brown algaes, purple colonial anemonies. Full coverage. A canvas of life! And suddenly this became ever more animate with a marine iguana ripping canvas algae. Using jerky head motions, continuously regripping the boulder surface; custom designed tooth and claw.
