This morning we explored the easternmost point of San Cristobal Island, one of the driest areas in Galapagos. This contrasts starkly with the westernmost point of this same island — which is the wettest location of the whole archipelago. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs in some of the big islands, creating different conditions for different animals and plants. In some areas of the Galapagos we have thirty inches of rain a year; a different part of the same island may receive less than five inches. The archipelago has up to six different vegetation zones with different animals and plants; this may be the reason why the islands have a high degree of endemism.
10/4/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Genovesa Island
With coffee in hand, I stepped out onto the front balcony of the lounge to see what was going on. We had just entered Darwin’s Bay, dropped anchor, and the juvenile red-footed boobies had found the ship and were flying around us on an inspection tour. The rest of the day continued with discoveries of all kinds. An early morning inversion layer (locally known as “garúa”) had fallen and dampened the environment with much desired drops of fresh water, although the chicks of various species didn’t appear terribly pleased in having wet feathers. On our return, the same bedraggled individuals looked smooth, sleek and dry once the sun had come out. The Galapagos National Park has only two sites for visitors, both spectacular, both well worth a slow walk among the palo santo trees to see the great frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls, and storm petrels. Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding along the base of the cliffs of Darwin’s Bay followed. There’s nothing quite like this island anywhere in the world.