Penguins and Turtles

Volcanoes on Isabela

Cloudy Morning off Isabela Island

I tried to read the heavens tonight, after my great success yesterday when the sky was so clear the Milky Way was visible, as were all the usual stars that are seen in this hemisphere, but it was cloudy and nothing was detectable. It was overcast most of the day, but that did not interfere with our adventures. We started on Fernandina Island where we tripped over marine iguana sunning themselves on the rocks and sea lions frolicking in the tide pools, one chasing marine iguanas out of his own private pool. Many baby sea lions were either hanging on to their mothers or waiting for them. One male sea lion tried to seduce a mother ( apparently only two weeks after a baby is born, a mother is receptive and can have two babies within a year!). The sea lions suckle their youngsters for eighteen months, and often if they have another baby within a year, will allow the second one to die, since they are still taking care of the older one which has a better chance of survival. A few babies were crying for their mothers. A mother will only suckle its own youngster, and after a couple of weeks will leave for days at a time to hunt before it comes back to feed its waiting pup. It the mothers do not return, the babies will die of hunger. A few decomposing babies were scattered on the beach. Survival of the fittest is very clear in this harsh environment.

Galapagos Hawk

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Happy Marine Iguana

Establishing Territory

We were surrounded by volcanoes, most of them active. The Galapagos are volcanic islands, and Fernandina is covered in lava, so walking early this morning was slippery and felt like a moonscape. Tide pools were full of hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, some sea stars, the sea lions and marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, egrets, lava herons, and all sorts of other birds that our resident birder knew all the names for. A Galapagos hawk caught and ate a marine iguana and flew off with the rest of his fresh kill, perhaps for his nest and babies. Nature is happening all around us.

Hawk Eating Marine Iguana

Sea Turtle Resting

Marine Iguana Eating Algae

Maya Exploring

Seabird

Busy Crab

Isabela in the Distance

Mom and Baby Sea Lion

Whale Bones

Scraggly Looking Fellow

Lava Heron

Flightless Cormorant

When motoring from Fernandina Island to Isabela Island, the boat made huge circle chasing whales; I could see the blow spouts and just a tiny flipper here and there.

Amparo on Fernandina

My favourite part of the day is snorkeling, today with huge sea turtles, penguins and manta rays, as well as many colourful fish. Maya is entirely comfortable in the water and dives in her snorkel gear as well. It is peaceful and quiet underwater.

Swimming with Penguins

Sea Turtles Floating

Getting Close to Sea Lions

Proud Penguins

Checking out the Scenery

Looking Straight at Me

Blue Footed Boboie on the Rocks

Punta Vicente Roca

Resting Penguin

We passed the equator as the sun set, and will pass it again sometime in the middle of the night. I can hardly stay awake, and we have a 5 AM wakeup call, and the boat is rocking me to sleep.

Marine Iguanas Everywhere

Sharing Space with Crabs, Barnacles and Algae

More Iguanas

Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island

Lava Cactus

Survival of the Fittest