Fernandina Island
If there is a place in the Galapagos Islands that can live in your perennial memories, this place is Punta Espinoza, on Fernandina Island. What is so special there? Why do so many people call this island their favorite? I humbly realized, after several years visiting this location and after asking many visitors, that Punta Espinoza is so special due to a simple reason: it is as beautiful and pristine as it can be. Unfortunately there are not many places on Earth like Fernandina Island, an area where you can find spiritual relief through the tonic of life. Breathtaking volcanic black landscapes merging with a deep blue sea are the perfect setting for the island’s inhabitants. Hundreds of marine iguanas and Sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions and unusual endemic bird species perform their lives peacefully on this gem in the Pacific. Today was no exception.
Here’s a quick account of some incredible sightings that made us smile today: A humpback whale – infrequently seen in the Galapagos – was spotted from the Zodiacs. The whale was traveling with her calf and it was very entertaining to see the two different blows together – the smaller one obviously produced by the baby. Penguins mating! It was really amazing watching the courtship movements. A mother sea lion indulgently trying to stop her baby from reaching her whiskers, it was a true tender highlight. We saw a great blue heron chick with its mother. About a month ago we reported the unusual finding of a great blue heron nest. If you check the July 18, 2002 daily expedition report, you will see the progress the chick has made in less than four weeks.
If I ever have the opportunity to choose only one island to visit in the Galapagos archipelago I will have a big dilemma. But in the end I think I would choose Fernandina Island, the youngest and one of the most untouched places of this magical group of islands. A location that makes me think and dream. A place that represents a good example about how the rest of the world is supposed to be…
If there is a place in the Galapagos Islands that can live in your perennial memories, this place is Punta Espinoza, on Fernandina Island. What is so special there? Why do so many people call this island their favorite? I humbly realized, after several years visiting this location and after asking many visitors, that Punta Espinoza is so special due to a simple reason: it is as beautiful and pristine as it can be. Unfortunately there are not many places on Earth like Fernandina Island, an area where you can find spiritual relief through the tonic of life. Breathtaking volcanic black landscapes merging with a deep blue sea are the perfect setting for the island’s inhabitants. Hundreds of marine iguanas and Sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions and unusual endemic bird species perform their lives peacefully on this gem in the Pacific. Today was no exception.
Here’s a quick account of some incredible sightings that made us smile today: A humpback whale – infrequently seen in the Galapagos – was spotted from the Zodiacs. The whale was traveling with her calf and it was very entertaining to see the two different blows together – the smaller one obviously produced by the baby. Penguins mating! It was really amazing watching the courtship movements. A mother sea lion indulgently trying to stop her baby from reaching her whiskers, it was a true tender highlight. We saw a great blue heron chick with its mother. About a month ago we reported the unusual finding of a great blue heron nest. If you check the July 18, 2002 daily expedition report, you will see the progress the chick has made in less than four weeks.
If I ever have the opportunity to choose only one island to visit in the Galapagos archipelago I will have a big dilemma. But in the end I think I would choose Fernandina Island, the youngest and one of the most untouched places of this magical group of islands. A location that makes me think and dream. A place that represents a good example about how the rest of the world is supposed to be…
