November 30, 2011 - Rabida Island, Galapagos

 Sea Lion pup on Rabida beach

Pelican

Rabida island

Sea lion pup 

Penguin

Sea Lion checking out Jeff

Us underwater

Sea Lion Playing

Sea Turtles

Sea Lion

We arrived on the red-colored sands of Rabida Islands. As usual, sea lions were resting on the shores of this unique beach. In contrast with the blue water, the red sand shimmered with the sun rays. It is truly one of the most beautiful shores in the Galapagos. Ghost crabs burrowed into the sand as we walked along the beach. This was our last walk in paradise. In the afternoon, Jeff went snorkeling and took some wonderful underwater pictures of sea lions, sea turtles and a pinguine

November 29, 2011 - Fernandina Island, Galapagos

Flightless Cormorant

Iguanas spooning

Sea Lion sun-bathing

Cormorant hunting

Cormorants nesting

Marine Iguanas warming up before feeding

Flightless Cormorant

Blue-Footed Boobies

Blue-Footed Boobies

Blue-Footed Booby

Sunset that evening

With much anticipation, we arrived at Fernandina, the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos. We walked along the flat lava of Punta Espinosa and saw flightless cormorants diving into the waters in search of food.  Green sea turtles bathed in the tide pools and marines iguanas scattered across the rocks in large numbers. Rambunctious sea lions played as iguanas dipped in the water to feed on algae. There is nothing more beautiful than to see wildlife in harmony. In the afternoon, we took a boat ride around Tagus Cove, on the west coast of Isabela where we finally saw blue footed boobies resting on the volcanic rock along with penguins and pelicans. Our Galapagos trip was coming to an end but what a way to end it.

November 28, 2011 - Isabela, Galapagos

Laying with Jeff

Sea Lion and Marine Iguana

Tintoreras

Iguanas Fighting over turf

Wall of Tears

Wall of Tears

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

Victor holding baby turtle

Early to bed, early to rise we awoke at 6am to take a long walk to the islet of the Tintoreras, situated to the south of Puerto Villamil in Isabela. Just a few minutes into the walk, we encountered white tip sharks resting in a shallow crevice of crystalline waters. We proceeded along a path of black lava rock where several marine iguanas rested. For the first time, we witnessed two males fighting for territory. By jerking their heads up and down, they asserted their dominance until one backed down and was forced to find a new home and mates. Later we enjoyed some free time on the shores of Puerto Villamil. In the evening we visited the Wall of Tears, "Muro de las Lagrimas," built by convicts in 1945-1959. As a cruel form of punishment, these prisoners, many of whom were unjustly convicted, were forced to carry these heavy stones one by one from very far distances. After we checked out a giant tortoise breeding center where we saw baby turtles for the first time.

November 27, 2011 - Chinese Hat, Galapagos

Galapagos Hawk

Pup

Posing Pup

Mother and pup

Chinese Hat 

Marine Iguana

Sally Light-Foot Crab

Hawk

Today we welcomed the island of Chinese Hat. Baby sea lion pups covered the shore of this island. Sun-bathing next to their mothers, they seemed unbothered by our presence. Their curious, brown eyes gazing at us with warm, lovable affection. Accustom to human visitors, they often sought out our attention by posing or "showing-off" their whimsical, swimming skills. All of us could not resist taking picture after picture after picture. If it were not for Victor directing us to the next spot, we would be transfixed on these captivating pups playing in their natural environment. Curious Galapagos hawks surveyed the area looking for fresh food. Next we headed to Whale Bay where we saw a few more hawks and turtles.

November 26, 2011 - Santiago Island, Galapagos

Panoramic view of Santiago Island

Lava Rock Formations 

Lava Flow

Us

Pinnacle Rock

Our first Pinguine

Sunset 

Evening Sky

After a difficult night of rough seas, we were promptly awaken by the 7am breakfast bell. We had arrived at Sullivan Bay in Santiago Island. The main attraction here is the incredible volcanic rock formations. There isn't as much wildlife in Santiago as in Genovesa but the geography is stark, powerful and austere. Victor explained in detail the different lava flows (aa and pahoehoe) and their characteristics. The massive black lava formations are a strong reminder of the origins of these magnificent islands, "Born of Fire." In the evening, we visited Bartholome Island, known for its golden beaches, moonlike craters and the famous Pinnacle Rock. We took a hike to the summit of a once active volcano and enjoyed a panoramic view of the surrounding islands.

November 25, 2011 - Genovesa, Galapagos

Red-footed Booby

Heron

Swallow-Tail Gull

Red-Foot Booby

Frigate

Swallow-Tail Gull with Chick

Nazca Booby

Swimming with Sea Lions

Lobo Marino (Sea Lion)

Juvenile Nazca Booby biting my boot

Nazca Boobies

On our first night we navigated to the island of Genovesa, known as "Bird Island." The boat had already anchored when we awoke so all we needed to do was take a smaller, inflatable boat to a coral beach in Darwin Bay. There we saw red footed boobies, nazca boobies, frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos mocking birds, storm petrels, more finches, and sea lions. Genovesa is one of the most enchanting islands of the Galapagos, and perhaps our favorite for the incredible variety of birds that nest here. After our walk we snorkeled and were met by three seas lions looking to play with us.  In a land as beautiful as this, you understand the meaning of being one with nature, and you can't help but wonder how we drifted so far.