Isabela and Fernandina Islands
To visit the westernmost part of the archipelago gives us a great experience. It is here where the upwelling of the Cromwell current bathes Fernandina and the western coast of Isabela Island. The richness of the water surrounding this area is incomparable.
The morning started with a light garua (mist). But, as the morning developed, the clouds broke open and the sun warmed us up a little. The Zodiac ride was a very pleasant one where we saw the ocean sun fish and flightless cormorants. These two creatures were new to some people, as they never had seen them before. Even I had a first-time experience, when an ocean sunfish leapt out of the water, twice!
As we sailed off to Fernandina we had another special event, approximately 1000 common dolphins gave us a show for about an hour. We saw a whale in the area, well, it was simply outstanding, a lot of marine life.
On the other hand, on land we also saw a lot. Fernandina is filled with wildlife, but the most intriguing are the marine iguanas that sunbathe on the rocky shores. Here we find them by the hundreds. The rocky shores of the landing site makes it the best spot for them to be on.
The landing site known as Punta Ezpinoza has been uplifted several times. The dock now stands fully out of the water at lower stages of the tide. This site was raised in several steps. In mid-September 1974, marine invertebrate studies indicated approximately 80 cm of uplift at Espinoza. This occurred 6 weeks after a local earthquake, and more earthquakes, resulting in further uplift. In 1976 the total estimated uplift was 90 cm and there has been no movement since then. Some mangrove trees died because of the uplift and the flightless cormorants had moved their nest as the shoreline receded. The penguins have taken great advantages of such uplifting as they can find more nesting grounds.
These great formations also permit us to take our Zodiacs and explore these shores where we often find wonders. You’ve got to see it to believe it!
To visit the westernmost part of the archipelago gives us a great experience. It is here where the upwelling of the Cromwell current bathes Fernandina and the western coast of Isabela Island. The richness of the water surrounding this area is incomparable.
The morning started with a light garua (mist). But, as the morning developed, the clouds broke open and the sun warmed us up a little. The Zodiac ride was a very pleasant one where we saw the ocean sun fish and flightless cormorants. These two creatures were new to some people, as they never had seen them before. Even I had a first-time experience, when an ocean sunfish leapt out of the water, twice!
As we sailed off to Fernandina we had another special event, approximately 1000 common dolphins gave us a show for about an hour. We saw a whale in the area, well, it was simply outstanding, a lot of marine life.
On the other hand, on land we also saw a lot. Fernandina is filled with wildlife, but the most intriguing are the marine iguanas that sunbathe on the rocky shores. Here we find them by the hundreds. The rocky shores of the landing site makes it the best spot for them to be on.
The landing site known as Punta Ezpinoza has been uplifted several times. The dock now stands fully out of the water at lower stages of the tide. This site was raised in several steps. In mid-September 1974, marine invertebrate studies indicated approximately 80 cm of uplift at Espinoza. This occurred 6 weeks after a local earthquake, and more earthquakes, resulting in further uplift. In 1976 the total estimated uplift was 90 cm and there has been no movement since then. Some mangrove trees died because of the uplift and the flightless cormorants had moved their nest as the shoreline receded. The penguins have taken great advantages of such uplifting as they can find more nesting grounds.
These great formations also permit us to take our Zodiacs and explore these shores where we often find wonders. You’ve got to see it to believe it!
