Today we awoke at Darwin´s Bay near Genovesa Island. This collapsed caldera is a unique place where thousands of sea birds can be observed in different life stages. We disembarked in the morning for a natural history walk at Darwin´s Bay beach where we had a close look of the red-footed booby, one of the three species of boobies that nest in the Galapagos. We also observed Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and lava gulls. We also had the opportunity to snorkel with Galapagos fur seals, the second species of sea lion seen during this trip. In the afternoon, we went for a hike to Prince Phillip´s Steps. We were lucky to spot the short-eared owl, a typically nocturnal species that became diurnal on this island because of the absence of its competitor, the Galapagos hawk. We finished the last full day of the expedition celebrating with a toast onboard National Geographic Islander II.
4/6/2024
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National Geographic Islander II
Fernandina Island and Punta Vicente Roca
Today was the last full day of our expedition and we went to the most western region in the Galapagos to explore. Fernandina Island and Punta Vicente Roca provide invaluable insights into the unique biodiversity and geological dynamics of this iconic archipelago. The presence of flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, penguins, and distinctive geological formations underscore the significance of these locations for scientific research and conservation efforts. Our guests were thrilled to see the beauty of this island. We went for a hike then a snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas, cormorants, and several other species. After lunch we had a spectacular Zodiac ride, and we ended the day with a farewell cocktail on the sky deck with a beautiful sunset. It was a great day! Photo caption and credit : Marine iguanas sunbathing at Fernandina. Marine Iguanas are the perfect example of adaptation in the Galapagos, they are abundant in the area, utilizing the nutrient-rich waters for feeding and the rocky outcrops for basking. Close observation revealed intricate social interactions among these reptiles, as well as their remarkable ability to withstand harsh marine conditions. Photo by Roberta Schiess