Today we spent the day at Santiago Island the fourth largest of the Galapagos Islands. This island has a highland area, sources of fresh water inland and long stretches of lava cliffs along the coast. In the morning we separated an did different activities. Diane went deep water snorkeling and Bill went on a zodiac ride in the same area.
The water temperature was great though the currents were fairly strong. Although the currents and waves made it difficult to snorkel she was able to stay in the water about 45 minutes.
Diane saw thousands of grey and brown fish approximately 4-7" long. There were schools of fish swimming all around her. She was in the rear of the rest of the group and was fortunate to see
spotted eagle stingray! It was such a beautiful experience as the ray initially had its fins tucked under its body and then slowly unfurled them to be the elegant being it is. It moved along gracefully.
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| Copyright 2008 John Norton, via Flickr & Wikipedia |
She also saw other fish including: Steel Pompano, Barberfish, Reef Cornetfish, Mantra Ray, Panamic Sargent Major, Sissortail Chromis, and Bravo Clinid. While she was swimming and sea lion swam close by.
On the zodiac tour, Bill saw many of the same species of birds we saw elsewhere.
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| Frigatebird |
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| Cruising in the Zodiac |
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| Santiago Island |
Later in the afternoon, following a wet landing, we navigated the coarse lava and went on a hike, the first part in the rain. We birds, lava lizards, iguana & plants. It stopped raining as encountered lava fields, lava tubes, sea lions and a variety of birds. It was very rough terrain and we had to be careful not to trip or twist an ankle. Diane continued to the next portion of lava and Bill took the other path. We almost didn't make it to the zodiac before sunset! It was a beautiful walk. We saw two rainbows.
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| View of Volcano |
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| Prickly Pear |
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| Galapagos Dove |
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| 2 Iguana and a shorebird |
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| Sea Lions Lazing Around |
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| Bill is viewing the whole scene |
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| Vegetation meets Beach meets Lava meets Ocean |
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| Sea Lion Communication with Cruise Mates |
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| Marine Iguana in the water |
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| Lava and Ocean |
Later in the afternoon, following a wet landing, we navigated the coarse lava and went on a hike, the first part in the rain. We birds, lava lizards, iguana & plants. It stopped raining as encountered lava fields, lava tubes, sea lions and a variety of birds. It was very rough terrain and we had to be careful not to trip or twist an ankle. Diane continued to the next portion of lava and Bill took the other path. We almost didn't make it to the zodiac before sunset! It was a beautiful walk. We saw two rainbows.
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