GALAPAGOS DAY 3 - SANTIAGO AND BARTOLOME ISLANDS (21/05/09)
These large rocks in Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island were the first thing we saw when we woke up.
The beach in Sullivan Bay had been visited during the night by a large female Green Sea Turtle. She would have dug a hole above the tide line and laid around 120 eggs, only 1% of which will survive to adulthood.
We were lucky to spot these Galapagos Penguins, one of the smallest species in the world, as they only live on a couple of the islands and are usually out hunting at sea most of the day.
These two species have been peacefully co-existing for thousands of years and this is evident in their absolute indifference to one another.
This enormous lava field was formed during a large eruption in 1890. The lava flowed into the bay at 1200 degrees centigrade destroying everything in it´s path. We spent a couple of hours exploring and looking at the wide variety of forms created by the molten rock.
These pot-like forms were created when bubbles of gas forced their way through the surface of the molten lava.
The solidified lava is very brittle and large fissures divide the landscape.
This endemic lava cactus is one of only two species of plant (the other being a small flowering plant called Ullugo) which can grow in this harsh volcanic terrain.
The lava fields run right to the shore line where, once again, live many marine iguanas. Strangely, despite the fact that they are famous for being the only aquatic species, this is only one of a couple we actually saw swimming.
As usual there were a couple of sea lions to keep us entertained.
Yet again Liz managed to charm the entire crew of the boat. The panga driver, Madrid, was more than happy to let her take our lives in her hands.
Once again we were incredibly lucky. Just off the island of Bartolome we saw this colony of Galapagos Penguins heading out hunting together. It is incredibly unusual to see them swimming in groups larger than 3 or 4 but there must have been at least 15.
After a steep climb up the arid slopes of Bartolome we were greeted with one of the most famous views in the Galapagos Islands.
Looking down we could see this submerged volcanic crater in the turquoise water.
A male Magnificent Frigate bird, throat pouch deflated, sails over the cruise boats dotted across the ocean.
During our trip we went snorkeling at least once a day. One of the highlights was swimming with these penguins. Well known for darting through the water almost too fast to see, we were priveledged that they swam slowly in circles around us allowing us to see them clearly. On one occasion it was a little too clearly when one decided to empty his bowels inches from Adam´s face.
The afternoon was spent sailing to the south of Santa Cruz Island to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest in the Galapagos. We spent the afternoon reading and reviewing our photographs before ending the day with this beautiful sunset.
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