Isabela and Fernandina Islands
Right after sunrise we were called to enjoy the magnificence of the early morning hours aboard the Polaris. We circumnavigated Roca Redonda, an outcrop located at the northwestern corner of the Galapagos, surrounded by deep ocean. The rock was full of sea birds, due to the upwelling of Cromwell current. This place is also free of predators, therefore a true haven for seabirds. After sailing around the rock we kept our course toward Ecuador volcano, which is right at the equator line. Before crossing the line, common dolphins were spotted from the bridge, so we turned the ship in different directions to catch up with them. There was a large pod jumping and cruising in front of the vessel. We all got a good look of these beautiful creatures, well-muscled and fast swimmers. Another great sighting was the ocean sunfish, which is one of the strangest looking fish, with an odd shape, it almost looks like a fish with no tail.
After lunch we sailed toward Fernandina Island, which is the baby island of the Archipelago, and the largest pristine island in the whole world. During the walk we encountered large piles of marine iguanas, flightless Cormorants, penguins and a few other shore birds. Some of us got to see an endemic bird, the lava heron, trying to swallow a puffer fish. But the fish puffed up, got bigger, and the heron had to give up and look for something else to eat.
It has been another successful day in these enchanted Islands.
Right after sunrise we were called to enjoy the magnificence of the early morning hours aboard the Polaris. We circumnavigated Roca Redonda, an outcrop located at the northwestern corner of the Galapagos, surrounded by deep ocean. The rock was full of sea birds, due to the upwelling of Cromwell current. This place is also free of predators, therefore a true haven for seabirds. After sailing around the rock we kept our course toward Ecuador volcano, which is right at the equator line. Before crossing the line, common dolphins were spotted from the bridge, so we turned the ship in different directions to catch up with them. There was a large pod jumping and cruising in front of the vessel. We all got a good look of these beautiful creatures, well-muscled and fast swimmers. Another great sighting was the ocean sunfish, which is one of the strangest looking fish, with an odd shape, it almost looks like a fish with no tail.
After lunch we sailed toward Fernandina Island, which is the baby island of the Archipelago, and the largest pristine island in the whole world. During the walk we encountered large piles of marine iguanas, flightless Cormorants, penguins and a few other shore birds. Some of us got to see an endemic bird, the lava heron, trying to swallow a puffer fish. But the fish puffed up, got bigger, and the heron had to give up and look for something else to eat.
It has been another successful day in these enchanted Islands.
