Floreana Island
Early morning low clouds and a strip of bright orange as the sun starts its dash through the equatorial sky. The visit to the Post Office was popular, and many early birds rode across smooth waters to the golden beach to put postcards in the barrel. Sea lions and cactus shared barren, black-grey lava shores, while the gentle rolling hills of the island rose quietly in the background.
In contrast to the tranquility of the first morning visit, our second was made up of a flurry of movement, feeling and sounds. Zodiacs to the snorkel sites, the soft movement of small waves along the coastline, bird calls overhead. Cool water when we first slipped in.
Sea lions! In the protected bay, one individual made several close passes, but once outside, we were buzzed by three. Bubbles streamed out their noses as they laughed and giggled at our clumsy efforts to follow their swift and agile pirouettes.
Point Cormorant in the afternoon provided us with spectacular views of flamingos. The lighting in the late afternoon reflected off their salmon pink bodies and made them glow. One juvenile, slightly paler than the adults, was found feeding quietly and unperturbed by our presence just feet away from us. It burbled along the bank among mangroves, passing beyond the roots and out of sight.
Early morning low clouds and a strip of bright orange as the sun starts its dash through the equatorial sky. The visit to the Post Office was popular, and many early birds rode across smooth waters to the golden beach to put postcards in the barrel. Sea lions and cactus shared barren, black-grey lava shores, while the gentle rolling hills of the island rose quietly in the background.
In contrast to the tranquility of the first morning visit, our second was made up of a flurry of movement, feeling and sounds. Zodiacs to the snorkel sites, the soft movement of small waves along the coastline, bird calls overhead. Cool water when we first slipped in.
Sea lions! In the protected bay, one individual made several close passes, but once outside, we were buzzed by three. Bubbles streamed out their noses as they laughed and giggled at our clumsy efforts to follow their swift and agile pirouettes.
Point Cormorant in the afternoon provided us with spectacular views of flamingos. The lighting in the late afternoon reflected off their salmon pink bodies and made them glow. One juvenile, slightly paler than the adults, was found feeding quietly and unperturbed by our presence just feet away from us. It burbled along the bank among mangroves, passing beyond the roots and out of sight.
