Our expedition started today with one of the most important visits of the week. We visited the Charles Darwin Station, and we learned about some of the projects that they are running these days to support the ecology, flora, and fauna of the islands. One of the most famous projects is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Here is where the baby giant tortoises are born in captivity and after 5-7 years at the center, they are repatriated to their home island. With the right support, we are trying to recover the population of those species in the Galapagos Islands. Some guests decided to donate and support those projects, and in return, as a present for their donation, they chose an item like a hat, t-shirt, jacket, water bottle, or a book. We felt that it was a win-win situation.
10/4/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
With coffee in hand, I stepped out onto the front balcony of the lounge to see what was going on. We had just entered Darwin’s Bay, dropped anchor, and the juvenile red-footed boobies had found the ship and were flying around us on an inspection tour. The rest of the day continued with discoveries of all kinds. An early morning inversion layer (locally known as “garúa”) had fallen and dampened the environment with much desired drops of fresh water, although the chicks of various species didn’t appear terribly pleased in having wet feathers. On our return, the same bedraggled individuals looked smooth, sleek and dry once the sun had come out. The Galapagos National Park has only two sites for visitors, both spectacular, both well worth a slow walk among the palo santo trees to see the great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls, and storm petrels. Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding along the base of the cliffs of Darwin’s Bay followed. There’s nothing quite like this island anywhere in the world.
