This is our last full day, and Genovesa is a lovely, charming island where sea birds have found a peaceful life. One of the most amazing things to appreciate here is that we navigate into a caldera. Darwin’s Bay is a caldera which is now a bay. The Island is so far from any other and small and flat, so no one else is likely to visit here but sea birds, a small colony of sea lions, and a few land birds.
Land birds might have few members, but the species living here are so different from one another that when you encounter them it adds to the feeling of being on a true expedition. I am talking about Darwin finches Galapagos doves, and Galapagos mockingbirds together with yellow crested night herons. These are all in addition to the sea birds which have made this island famous.
We finally got to see red footed boobies. They are great looking birds with their light blue beaks and of course their red feet, moving around red mangroves and palo santo trees. The whole day we spent walking around the various habitats of Genovesa and the day had to be divided in many parts in order to be able to understand every bit of it.
Early morning risers took the kayaking option during the fantastic early hours when all species take advantage to forage either in the water or land. Later on after breakfast everybody took the wet landing on Darwin’s beach and did the easy walk along the beach covered by mangroves and prickly pear cactus.
We went for our last deep water snorkeling which took place inside the bay. We had clear water and lots of colorful fish which were using the lava walls as hiding places.
The was the last full day, so after a filling lunch and packing for tomorrow’s departure, we disembarked on our way to Prince Phillips steps. After a dry landing we climbed along the cliff on our way to the sea birds’ nesting colonies and we explored this site.
Along the walk we had fun watching the Nazca boobies trying to form couples and begin their new nesting season. The red footed boobie chicks were already waiting for their parents to return with some food and male frigate birds inflated their pouches in order to attract females.
Along this walk we hope to see the elusive short eared owl, a common bird in many places, but not here on Genovesa. It’s the only hunter and we found it sitting on a branch.
Of course time flew buy and six o’clock was fast approaching and we had to go back on board. Our last day was a fantastic day! Galapagos is a magical place that will never leave our hearts.
