Espanola Island
After all we have seen and done today, it is hard to believe that this is only our first full day in the Galápagos. What a way to start out our trip! Some of us woke up early enough to see the Captain’s anchoring maneuver. Right after breakfast, we grabbed our backpacks and marched out through the reception door into a lovely, breezy and sunny day. We followed a very rocky trail through humid, green vegetation along the coast of Española Island.
The amount of wildlife at Punta Suarez was overwhelming. Since the moment we set foot on the dock, we feared that the amount of film we brought with us was not going to be enough. Thanks to technology and the new digital cameras, some of us could take as many pictures as we wanted to!
Sea lions and marine iguanas were the welcoming committee. Endemic Hood Island mockingbirds and comical blue-footed boobies were parading down the middle of the trail and enthusiastically courting. The well known dance of the blue footed boobies captured our attention and delighted us for a while. Then we spied an albatross landing ahead and we hurried along to observe and photograph this large and beautiful bird.
Most of the albatross are just coming back from a long journey and several months at sea. They have returned to Española and are in the midst of their breeding season. This morning, some of us had the privilege to witness the albatross courtship dance, which I believe is one of the most intriguing displays that I have ever seen.
After our successful walk, the laid back afternoon visit to a gorgeous beach was just perfect. There were several options: snorkeling, beach bumming or glass bottom boat outings. We found colorful fish, sea lions, sharks and rays in the turquoise waters of Gardner Bay and had a marvelous afternoon. But I am sure that the sight of the handsome waved albatross is one of the sights that will be in our minds forever.
After all we have seen and done today, it is hard to believe that this is only our first full day in the Galápagos. What a way to start out our trip! Some of us woke up early enough to see the Captain’s anchoring maneuver. Right after breakfast, we grabbed our backpacks and marched out through the reception door into a lovely, breezy and sunny day. We followed a very rocky trail through humid, green vegetation along the coast of Española Island.
The amount of wildlife at Punta Suarez was overwhelming. Since the moment we set foot on the dock, we feared that the amount of film we brought with us was not going to be enough. Thanks to technology and the new digital cameras, some of us could take as many pictures as we wanted to!
Sea lions and marine iguanas were the welcoming committee. Endemic Hood Island mockingbirds and comical blue-footed boobies were parading down the middle of the trail and enthusiastically courting. The well known dance of the blue footed boobies captured our attention and delighted us for a while. Then we spied an albatross landing ahead and we hurried along to observe and photograph this large and beautiful bird.
Most of the albatross are just coming back from a long journey and several months at sea. They have returned to Española and are in the midst of their breeding season. This morning, some of us had the privilege to witness the albatross courtship dance, which I believe is one of the most intriguing displays that I have ever seen.
After our successful walk, the laid back afternoon visit to a gorgeous beach was just perfect. There were several options: snorkeling, beach bumming or glass bottom boat outings. We found colorful fish, sea lions, sharks and rays in the turquoise waters of Gardner Bay and had a marvelous afternoon. But I am sure that the sight of the handsome waved albatross is one of the sights that will be in our minds forever.
