Isabela and Fernandina
This day started with the promise of a wonderful day for excursionists. We woke up early in the morning during navigation and gathered in the bow of the ship to wait patiently for what nature had prepared for us. Time was passing by, and we were feeling a little disappointed, because it seemed to be that we had to wait for just a common day, when at a distance we could see one of the most wonderful displays of nature - a big group of common dolphins swimming right in front of our boat! We had enough time to get closer to them and get great pictures from these marine mammals. It definitely boosted our energy, and we felt eager to continue this new day in Galápagos.
During the morning, we started with a group of snorkelers who had close contact with marine turtles. Later we saw some ocean sunfish and penguins, and the day was getting more and more interesting as the hours were passing by.
In the afternoon during the visit to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, I personally felt pleased to see that the endangered population of endemic flightless cormorants is starting to increase its number. We all could tell, because the evidence was right there in front of our eyes. There were cormorants all over the place and some of them were still nesting and some others developing their courtship, which means that we are on the way to recover a healthy population of these amazing birds adapted to the harsh environment of the islands. By the way, all of the guests were impressed by how all of these animals (cormorants, penguins, sea lions, hawks, and marine iguanas) could survive in the same environment with the temperature of these tropical islands. After some little explanations, they felt as amazed as Charles Darwin was when they understood about the evolution and adaptation processes that happen here every single day of our lives.
It’s such a pleasure to see that I can share my love and respect for nature with all of them.
This day started with the promise of a wonderful day for excursionists. We woke up early in the morning during navigation and gathered in the bow of the ship to wait patiently for what nature had prepared for us. Time was passing by, and we were feeling a little disappointed, because it seemed to be that we had to wait for just a common day, when at a distance we could see one of the most wonderful displays of nature - a big group of common dolphins swimming right in front of our boat! We had enough time to get closer to them and get great pictures from these marine mammals. It definitely boosted our energy, and we felt eager to continue this new day in Galápagos.
During the morning, we started with a group of snorkelers who had close contact with marine turtles. Later we saw some ocean sunfish and penguins, and the day was getting more and more interesting as the hours were passing by.
In the afternoon during the visit to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, I personally felt pleased to see that the endangered population of endemic flightless cormorants is starting to increase its number. We all could tell, because the evidence was right there in front of our eyes. There were cormorants all over the place and some of them were still nesting and some others developing their courtship, which means that we are on the way to recover a healthy population of these amazing birds adapted to the harsh environment of the islands. By the way, all of the guests were impressed by how all of these animals (cormorants, penguins, sea lions, hawks, and marine iguanas) could survive in the same environment with the temperature of these tropical islands. After some little explanations, they felt as amazed as Charles Darwin was when they understood about the evolution and adaptation processes that happen here every single day of our lives.
It’s such a pleasure to see that I can share my love and respect for nature with all of them.
