Breakfast at Punta Moreno on the west side of Isabela. Like I said yesterday – we motored around the island overnight.
This morning we had a dry landing and a nice walk over the lava rock. Lots of pools in the lava with the lava tubes allowing the sea water it. We saw green sea turtles in a few of these pools and as we where at the last one before reboarding the pangas – a white tip shark came into the pool – got some great photos of it. Also many marine iguana and Galapagos Penguins. Oh and a Galapagos hawk – need them to help clean up the animals that die.
Back to the Beluga for Lunch and a nap. This makes it sound like we are all old and need our afternoon nap. It was a good time to just sit and relax with a good book. The sun was pretty hot during this time – so was nice in the shade. During this time the Beluga motored to Elizabeth Bay.
Afternoon panga ride – no landing this time – we way into an inland tidal pool completely surrounded by mangroves – very tall red mangroves – white and black mangroves – now you like me did not know that there was three different types of mangroves – and one of the interesting things about them – because the rising tide covers the roots – they grow new roots from the higher branches that do not touch the water.
We saw spotted and golden rays, marine turtles, flightless Comorants – now this sounds funny – but to New Zealanders who have a flightless bird – the Kiwi – this should not be too funny. The Comorant does not need to fly to get its food. It just walks down to the water and jumps in and then dives for fish etc. Now what I found funny was that like normal Comorants who spread their wings after a swim to allow them to dry – the flightless one does the same but they have only very small “wings” so does look a bit silly or funny.
Spotted some seals resting on tree branches – our guide told us to look out for the tree lions (sea lion in a tree) it took us some time to catch on to the joke – but the Sea lion was in the tree.
Back to the Beluga for clean up before dinner and briefing for tomorrow.
During the night we moved to Urbina Bay. Tomorrows visit.
chau