Isabela and Fernandina
Galápagos looked mysterious today with Northern Isabela’s volcanoes surrounded by clouds. All the different bird species flying overhead kept us looking in every direction – we took the opportunity to talk about the Galápagos dark-rumped petrel’s relationship to the Hawaiian variety.
Isabela, one of the youngest formations of the group, is made of five shield-shaped formations that are known to be a characteristic of oceanic islands. As we drew closer we could see the gentle basaltic lava flows that formed these islands over the years. At less than 700,000 years old, this is a particularly interesting environment. Each of these islands is home to different species of giant tortoises and land iguanas, including the newly discovered Pink Iguana. This was the most celebrated wildlife discovery of the last couple of years.
The green color of the churning waters could be seen from our ship. These are also known as upwells, when rich nutrients that are responsible for feeding marine wildlife are fed into the islands by the Cromwell Current. As we went along the coast we were able to count around 30 pacific green sea turtles that normally live around the area.
The chilly Cromwell Counter Current meant cooler conditions for snorkeling, although no one wanted to miss the chance to swim with the Galápagos penguins and the flightless cormorants. There was also an incredible opportunity to swim with the beautiful Pacific green sea turtles in Punta Vicente Roca.
Fernandina, unlike other islands, has not been largely affected by introduced species yet. This makes it the jewel in the crown of the Galápagos group. It is one of the two most pristine island ecosystems on the planet. The lava flaws that make this formation are the most breathtaking landscapes of the archipelago. Hundreds of giant marine iguanas have taken over here, due to size and color, they are part of the flows themselves making this an organic kind of landscapes that is quite interesting to watch. The iguanas and the magnificent volcano make this young island a one-of-a-kind experience that will be impossible to forget.
At sunset, as we walked back to the ship, more than being overwhelmed, we could feel the vibrating power of nature undisturbed under our skin.
