Isabela Island was formed by six volcanoes and comprises just over half of the land surface of all of the Galapagos Archipelago. In the morning we explored the west coast of Isabela at Urbina Bay. In 1954, 1.5 sq km of the reef was lifted up by up to 16 ft. All animals and coral reef were left at sea level to dry and die. As we walked the trail, we saw remnants of coral and impressions of small sea animals in rock. In 1978 there was no vegetation on the island. This habitat is unique and we found large iguana and tortoises. The beach was black sand and the vegetation is everywhere and green. Two turtle nests were created last night as our expedition leader pointed out. When sea turtles mate, the eggs are fertilized for the next time the female goes to shore which may not be for 2 years. The sex of sea turtles is determined by the heat of their time in the mother. Hot produces females, Cool produces males: "Hot Chicks, Cool Dudes", uugh......
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| Black Sand Beach |
The first animal we encountered was a teenage (15-20 yr. old) tortoise. It was really cool to watch it come very close to our group. It even came between the tripod legs of our videographer - fearless!
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| Teenage Tortoise |
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| Teenage Tortoise - Fearless |
The next creature was a land iguana. I don't want to say this animal is ugly but there are better looking species....
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| Iguana Close-up |
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| Land Iguana |
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| Huge Tortoise! |
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| We walked behind this giant one as there was no room to go around it. Finally we came to a clearing and passed quietly. |
On We walked behind this giant tortoise as there was no room to go around it. Finally we came to a clearing and passed quietly. On this hike we also saw some Sulfur Butterflies.
After our 1 hr. afternoon siesta which the Islander expedition staff insists on (and we're glad to have) we went on another zodiac tour of Tagus Cove. Travelers there have graffiti on the cliffs and hills for centuries. It was a very rainy trip and also we experienced rough seas. Lucky to get any worthwhile pictures. We saw a Penguin with a young one in a nest, penguins, blue ft. boobys (see line above), sea lions, flightless cormorants, Galapagos sheer water, storm petrel, Brown Noddy Tern, Great Blue Heron.
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| Cormorants spread their "wings" |
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| Kayaks ready to go |
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| Historic Graffiti |
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| Blue Footed Booby Line |
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| Galapagos Pelican |
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| Blue Footed Booby |
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| And the rain did not let up... |
In the evening the waves and wind made travel rough. About 10% didn't even show up to dinner. 40% of our table left before dinner was done. Our table of 3 sat the longest at dinner, partly to avoid bouncing off walls getting back to the room. We had our Dramamine and were fine.
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