Hood Island
Today is our first full day in the enchanted islands. This morning we went onshore at Punta Suarez, on the westernmost side of Hood or Española Island. This is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago; therefore it has a high degree of endemism. Most of the species found here belong to this particular place, like the most colorful marine iguanas of the Galápagos, the Española lava lizards that happen to be the largest among the seven species of lizards in the islands, and the Hood mockingbirds.
Seabirds, which play an important role amongst the Galápagos fauna, were all over the cliffs. Birds such as Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and, of course, blue footed boobies. The latter were performing their whole courtship in front of us. Some were about to nest, while others were working on the hard task of finding the right mate. We even got to watch some blue-footed boobies doing their sky-pointing display!
In the afternoon, our Captain, Juan Rueda, repositioned the ship to Gardner Bay. We focused more on water activities, which at this time of the year are just great due to the water temperature and the great visibility of the sea. The beach was warm and crowded with sea lions, and the snorkeling site surprised us with a huge school of cow-nosed golden rays and several white-tipped sharks. People saw many colorful fish from the glass bottom boat as well. We had a complete day of land and sea birds, wonderful landscapes and amazing marine life.
Today is our first full day in the enchanted islands. This morning we went onshore at Punta Suarez, on the westernmost side of Hood or Española Island. This is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago; therefore it has a high degree of endemism. Most of the species found here belong to this particular place, like the most colorful marine iguanas of the Galápagos, the Española lava lizards that happen to be the largest among the seven species of lizards in the islands, and the Hood mockingbirds.
Seabirds, which play an important role amongst the Galápagos fauna, were all over the cliffs. Birds such as Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and, of course, blue footed boobies. The latter were performing their whole courtship in front of us. Some were about to nest, while others were working on the hard task of finding the right mate. We even got to watch some blue-footed boobies doing their sky-pointing display!
In the afternoon, our Captain, Juan Rueda, repositioned the ship to Gardner Bay. We focused more on water activities, which at this time of the year are just great due to the water temperature and the great visibility of the sea. The beach was warm and crowded with sea lions, and the snorkeling site surprised us with a huge school of cow-nosed golden rays and several white-tipped sharks. People saw many colorful fish from the glass bottom boat as well. We had a complete day of land and sea birds, wonderful landscapes and amazing marine life.
