Punta Cormorant and Floreana Island, 6/14/2021, National Geographic Endeavour II
Aboard the
National Geographic Endeavour II
Galápagos
Floreana Island has been severely impacted by introduced animal species since the early 1800s, a situation the Galapagos National Park has started addressing for about a decade and will continue until the eradication program is complete. We have already witnessed the positive impact on the islands because its recover has been amazingly well managed.
If we recount all the great experiences we had today, we would fill many pages. We are thrilled that the National Geographic Endeavour II is sailing in Galapagos once again. To finish our day, we had a spectacular sunset.
Walter was born in a very small town on the mainland of Ecuador. His first trip to the Galápagos was when he was 12 years old, visiting friends and aunt, who had moved to the islands. From the first moment he saw the Islands, he fell in love with the...
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Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago. Its backbone is made of five huge shield volcanos, starting from the north: Wolf, Darwin, Alcedo, Sierra Negra, and Cerro Azul. All these massive volcanos are active, and one erupts about every three years.
In the western realm of the Galapagos, we arrived at Fernandina Island, the youngest island of the archipelago. After an amazing sunrise, we began looking for marine wildlife as we navigated across the Bolivar Channel. Dramatic views of the impressive volcanic landscape enhanced our breakfast. We went ashore for a walk, and it was like we were transported back to a time when the land was newly formed. The highlights of our morning were countless. Galapagos marine iguanas basked along the shoreline. We found many unique creatures, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos sea lions, and the top natural predator of the archipelago, the Galapagos hawk. After a walk on lava flows that are only hundreds of years old, we snorkeled under great conditions. We observed iguanas, sea lions, several species of fish, and green sea turtles feeding on seaweed. We were surrounded by Galapagos penguins and had the chance to feel accepted as part of this environment. The western islands are formidable and the most remote. The newest islands are strongly influenced by the Cromwell Undercurrent, which brings cold, nutrient-rich waters. The newer islands are also pretty active volcanically. In the afternoon, we backtracked north and navigated towards the northwestern realm of Isabela Island. We arrived at Punta Vicente Roca, a collapsed caldera of Volcano Ecuador and one of the six volcanos that form Isabela. Groups took Zodiac rides to explore the coast because the geology of the site does not allow disembarkation. We observed fur sea lions, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos penguins, and the impressive flightless cormorant. After a spectacular day full of activities in the field, we returned on board. We celebrated as we crossed the equator with a sunset wine tasting on the top deck. Every day in the Galapagos is an opportunity to reconnect with the beauty of nature through unbelievable encounters, and today was no exception. Today’s visit was outstanding!
Today was our last day in the middle of the archipelago before we embark on a journey to the western realm! We visited North Seymour Island in the morning and Rabida in the afternoon. North Seymour Island’s uplifted geology has made the island a bird magnet location. This island is home to magnificent and great frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and blue-footed boobies. Birds are not the only ones on the island, though. There are also sea lions and two of the most common reptiles found in the Galapagos: land iguanas and lava lizards. As we walked along the trail on North Seymour, we were very fortunate to spot all the species listed. It was amazing to see them right along the trail as they fed their babies, took a nap, or just explored the curious humans that admired them in turn. This is the beauty of the Galapagos: animals behave as if we are not there, which is known as ecological naivety. In the afternoon, we ventured into the ocean for our first snorkeling session. We ended the day by walking along Rabida Island, also known as the red island due to a large amount of iron oxide, which makes this island red in color. One of the highlights of our day was seeing flamingos nesting at the lagoon on Rabida Island. This has not happened in the last 30 years since the lagoon composition changed due to weather events like El Niño. To our surprise and joy, the lagoon has recovered, allowing brine shrimp to return and flamingos to nest again. The Galapagos Islands are always full of surprises, and today we got to see many!
