GALAPAGOS 1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6:

Today George and I set off on a long planned trip to the Galapagos Islands. We had talked about doing this trip years ago, but had not pursued it. Finally in the Spring of 2017, I brought it up and then started to research traveling plans. A photography acquaintance was my final source with a highly recommended leader. The trip was booked the first week in May, 2017. 

After over a year of planning we were off! There had been medical issues to overcome, passports to update, inoculations, and of course flight plans. It was all worth it. 

We left San Diego in the afternoon of the 6^th flying out a bit early as there was a thunderstorm while we were at the airport which delayed earlier flights and I was able to get us on one of these flights to get us to San Francisco in plenty of time to get on our scheduled flight to Panama City and on to Guayquil, Ecuador. We enjoyed the experience of flying business class this evening.

ABOVE THE CLOUDS

APPROACHING PANAMA CITY

Entrance to the Panama Canal Area

PANAMA CITY 

Here We Come

In Guayaquil we were to be met at the airport and taken to our hotel. The ball was dropped so to speak and when we finally got to our hotel, they did not have us on their manifest!! After a welcome nap we went out to the nearby park and saw and photographed the local wildlife:

CATHEDRAL SQUARE 

All was eventually straightened out and our leaders, Reneé Bish and Peter Oxford were most apologetic. We enjoyed a quiet dinner in the Hotel before calling it a day as the next day we would be leaving the hotel at 0600!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8:

We were shuttled to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. The Islands are located about 620 miles to the West of main land Ecuador and straddle the equator.  We landed on Baltra Island which is a small island located just North of  Santa Cruz Island, and is considered the gateway to the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands is a National Park and has strict regulations on visiting them. 

The weather here in early December is mild and generally dry. You still have to be aware that you are in the tropics and the effects of too much sun can be harmful – sunburn, and dehydration are to be considered at all times.

Our accommodations while visiting the Islands were on board the S. S. Mary Anne, a 216 foot three masted schooner. The crew was very hospitable, the cabins were small but nicely laid out, and public areas were comfortable and airy.

We arrived on the Mary Anne before lunch and quickly settled into our cabin before heading out on deck for lunch. 

S.S. MARY ANNE

After lunch we boarded pangas, small inflated boats used to travel from ship to shore, to explore Black Turtle Cove, located on the coast of Santa Cruz Island.  

PANGA

Here we see the mangroves which line the shore.

MANGROVE

 and see various birds: pelicans, blue footed boobies, lava herons, frigate birds,

BROWN PELICAN

BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY

LAVA HERON

STRAITED HERON

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATE BIRD

along with several varieties of sea turtles: 

sharks, rays,

SPOTTED EAGLE RAY

ON WATCH

SALLY LIGHTFOOT CRAB

 sea lions, and sally lightfoot crabs. This cove was quite different from other sites we will be visiting.

Upon our return to the ship we were initiated into the foot cleaning ritual. This involves rinsing off your feet, sandals, or boots. The purpose is to rinse off any sand, seeds, or other debris. This is to prevent the artificial transport of plant life from one island to another. It also helps to keep the decks clean.

Back on board the Mary Anne we enjoyed a little relaxation before a formal welcoming by our skipper and his crew. Before dinner we had a briefing on tomorrow’s activities by the Park Ranger.

Overnight we motored to Genovesa Island.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9:

Today we commenced the routine of early morning adventures. We started with breakfast at 0515, and departure from the Mary Anne at 0600. The reward for this early start is that we are the first on the island we are visiting, and of course the early morning light.

We were greeted first by a number of sea lions and pups lounging on the beach.

A DARWIN FINCH

As we walked along the beach and inland, we saw the red-footed boobies that nest in the mangroves. 

YOUNG FRIGATE BIRD

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

There were also young frigate birds, and a yellow finch. 

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATE BIRD

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATE BIRD

RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD

Flying overhead were Frigate birds, and the red-billed tropic bird. The Galapagos Dove was also present.

GALAPAGOS DOVE

Before lunch we had our first chance to snorkel. George and I did not do well with this. George has  never had a good experience with snorkeling, and this venture did not go well for him. First our wet suits were too small and so it was a struggle to get into them. I also had a poor beginning as I had not had a chance to  practice at home, due to trying to recover from a serious groin injury. This took about two months of therapy, with no swimming. Our first snorkeling was very short lived.

After Lunch we had a little down time before we were off to climb Prince Phillip’s Steps and explore another area of the island. We saw and photographed the Nazca Booby.  

HERE IS A TREAT, SWEETY

NAZCA BOOBY

NAZCA BOOBY WITH EGG

The Nazca Boobies  build their nests right on the open ground with just a few sticks. As we were ascending the steps a Short-eared Owl was spotted. He was down in a crevasse below the trail. On our return he had moved up to the the handrail, and was not phased by our trampling along beside him.

SHORT-EARRED OWL

Genovesa Island lived up to its reputation “Island of Birds.”