Southern Isabela Island
We started our morning sailing off from the Island of Fernandina to the Island of Isabela. This is where Alcedo volcano is found, one of the most active in the archipelago. Its stunning landscape was the shelter for our morning experience and it provided us with a view that we’d hardly see ever again. Part of the coastline of the island was uplifted back in 1944, and it gave us the perfect example needed to show our guests how marine uplift works. We found marine life even way into the island (at least a mile from shore, approximately). It was very exciting to see different types of marine organisms incrusted in the uplifted rocks. White coral heads, sea shells, tubes worms were among the organisms that we were able to identify. Currently, this area represents a complex ecosystem where marine and land organisms coexist in perfect harmony.
As we continued our hiking into the island we identified a young Galápagos hawk soaring above us, using wind thermals to save energy. Later on, it made several attempts to get closer maybe to identify the strange creatures that were walking on two feet!
Dragon-like animals (iguanas) were basking under the sun along the trail, simply to warm up their bodies prior to their daily exercise of foraging.
The island was replete with animal wildlife, and even more during this time of the year when the first rains make the arthropods emerge from their hibernation, giving the chance to land birds (finches, warblers and mockingbirds) to have a feast.
The sun was strong and it was practically mandatory to take a swim before we headed back on board. To our surprise, a sea turtle was bathing on the beach as we arrived, and of course one more picture had to be taken!
Punta Moreno was our afternoon destination. This remote location is found between Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes where, after exploring the extensive lava flows, we came across a small “oasis.” These natural brackish water ponds are the result of underwater filtration from the sea, and can be found miles into the barren lava flows that surrounded the area. Lots of birds were found hiding among the thick vegetation, among them some flamingos, becoming the big surprise of the afternoon.
As we made our way back to the Islander we couldn’t resist the temptation to explore some of the near by tide pools. Eagle rays and a couple of sea turtles mating were definitely the last touch to complete our wonderful afternoon.
We started our morning sailing off from the Island of Fernandina to the Island of Isabela. This is where Alcedo volcano is found, one of the most active in the archipelago. Its stunning landscape was the shelter for our morning experience and it provided us with a view that we’d hardly see ever again. Part of the coastline of the island was uplifted back in 1944, and it gave us the perfect example needed to show our guests how marine uplift works. We found marine life even way into the island (at least a mile from shore, approximately). It was very exciting to see different types of marine organisms incrusted in the uplifted rocks. White coral heads, sea shells, tubes worms were among the organisms that we were able to identify. Currently, this area represents a complex ecosystem where marine and land organisms coexist in perfect harmony.
As we continued our hiking into the island we identified a young Galápagos hawk soaring above us, using wind thermals to save energy. Later on, it made several attempts to get closer maybe to identify the strange creatures that were walking on two feet!
Dragon-like animals (iguanas) were basking under the sun along the trail, simply to warm up their bodies prior to their daily exercise of foraging.
The island was replete with animal wildlife, and even more during this time of the year when the first rains make the arthropods emerge from their hibernation, giving the chance to land birds (finches, warblers and mockingbirds) to have a feast.
The sun was strong and it was practically mandatory to take a swim before we headed back on board. To our surprise, a sea turtle was bathing on the beach as we arrived, and of course one more picture had to be taken!
Punta Moreno was our afternoon destination. This remote location is found between Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes where, after exploring the extensive lava flows, we came across a small “oasis.” These natural brackish water ponds are the result of underwater filtration from the sea, and can be found miles into the barren lava flows that surrounded the area. Lots of birds were found hiding among the thick vegetation, among them some flamingos, becoming the big surprise of the afternoon.
As we made our way back to the Islander we couldn’t resist the temptation to explore some of the near by tide pools. Eagle rays and a couple of sea turtles mating were definitely the last touch to complete our wonderful afternoon.
