Bartholomew Island
This morning before breakfast we visited Bartholomew Island. This tiny volcanic islet lies right next to Santiago or James in the central part of the Archipelago. This is one of the places were we can find Galapagos penguins which are the second smallest of all the penguin species on earth. Bartolome, as the island is called in Spanish, is made entirely of volcanic material. Tuff cones formed after phreato magmatic eruptions occur along the shore of these volcanic islands. The lavas have been eroded and fragmented and are piled in multiple layers which form impressive craters, lava tunnels and other structures.
Along these rough shores, among the lava boulders where they can keep out of the scorching tropical sun, the Galapagos penguins breed successfully. It is sometimes possible to enjoy their company as you snorkel. You can find them in the water, where they are chasing tiny fish. Snorkeling and swimming this month has been quite comfortable with water surface temperatures in the mid 70’s. For these cold water birds, it must be like being in a warm Jacuzzi!
This morning before breakfast we visited Bartholomew Island. This tiny volcanic islet lies right next to Santiago or James in the central part of the Archipelago. This is one of the places were we can find Galapagos penguins which are the second smallest of all the penguin species on earth. Bartolome, as the island is called in Spanish, is made entirely of volcanic material. Tuff cones formed after phreato magmatic eruptions occur along the shore of these volcanic islands. The lavas have been eroded and fragmented and are piled in multiple layers which form impressive craters, lava tunnels and other structures.
Along these rough shores, among the lava boulders where they can keep out of the scorching tropical sun, the Galapagos penguins breed successfully. It is sometimes possible to enjoy their company as you snorkel. You can find them in the water, where they are chasing tiny fish. Snorkeling and swimming this month has been quite comfortable with water surface temperatures in the mid 70’s. For these cold water birds, it must be like being in a warm Jacuzzi!
