First full day in the Galapagos starts well with high energy and optimism. After breakfast, we are in the Zodiacs heading out to the island’s landing to be welcomed by several species of birds, crabs and even sea lions. In the interior of the loop trail, the nesting sea birds are abundant.
Frigates are nesting, which means that the males inflate their red sacs to the size of soccer balls and then display to females for mating. Some of them are already sitting on the eggs or even raising the youngsters.
Blue-footed boobies also are engaged in nesting. Most of their young are large enough to learn to fly and dive for fish. The interactions among all of the inhabitants here is quite interesting and sometimes unpredictable. Sea lions here find areas with sand or vegetation to rest. Land iguanas find the scanty water from succulents, like local prickly pear cactus. Marine iguanas sunbathe to gather heat before they enter the water for algae.
Later, after a couple of hours of navigation, we anchored at Rábida Island. This island is unique for the presence of abundant iron on its rocks, making rust that looks almost entirely red. We also snorkeled to enjoy the other equally beautiful and sublime world of the Galapagos, its underwater life. Fish of all kinds, shapes and colors. Sea lions, rays and sharks abound.
The land shows a magical beauty, the beauty of its noble occupants. Sea lions are the stars of the show, along with greater flamingoes that we see in flight over the sea. They land in a brackish water lagoon in search of shrimp, their main food source and the reason they’re pink. With lots of pics and memories, we end the day with the sun falling behind the volcanoes of large Isabela, our next destination.
