Genovesa Island
A great day on one of the most idyllic and remote islands of the Galapagos archipelago. Genovesa is a small island with just 5.4 square miles, and is home for hundreds of thousands of birds. Bewildered, our guests can not only enjoy the most fantastic profusion of colors, shapes and textures in exotic bird species but they can observe something even better. The most wonderful nature-show takes place in front of our eyes, animals continue performing their normal life without showing a single trace of concern. Attentive bird parents giving care to their chicks, birds in different growth stages, acting as if they do not care about our presence, are just examples of the normal life that carries on here. In the plant world we find in Genovesa an endemic prickly pear cactus species (Opuntia helleri) that is very peculiar. Its spines are soft like hair; their fruits grow close to the ground. These traits suggest something amazing. The cacti on this island do not have predators and facilitate their pollination by their lack of stiff spines. These cacti are living proof of evolution and adaptation in the botanical world. Astounded guests like the one pictured today can “pet” the cactus with amazement and curiosity.
Unusual sightings completed a remarkable day. A big manta ray (Manta hamiltoni) was spotted from the Zodiacs, and when we were ready to anchor off the northwestern coast in the early evening, two groups of cetaceans swimming close by were seen. The always-cheerful bottlenose dolphins (Tursiuops truncatus) were in the same area with a large pod of melon-headed whales! (Peponocephala electra). The latest is very rare small cetacean species not often seen in the Galapagos waters. At the end of the day, it is very rewarding for me as a naturalist to hear the most superlative comments about the beauty of the island and their inhabitants. “This has been one of the most wonderful places I have ever been”… “The most beautiful and elegant bird I have ever seen…” This is so interesting…” etc, are just examples of the enriching and sometimes life-changing experiences that the Galapagos can provoke in its visitors, on a day like today.
A great day on one of the most idyllic and remote islands of the Galapagos archipelago. Genovesa is a small island with just 5.4 square miles, and is home for hundreds of thousands of birds. Bewildered, our guests can not only enjoy the most fantastic profusion of colors, shapes and textures in exotic bird species but they can observe something even better. The most wonderful nature-show takes place in front of our eyes, animals continue performing their normal life without showing a single trace of concern. Attentive bird parents giving care to their chicks, birds in different growth stages, acting as if they do not care about our presence, are just examples of the normal life that carries on here. In the plant world we find in Genovesa an endemic prickly pear cactus species (Opuntia helleri) that is very peculiar. Its spines are soft like hair; their fruits grow close to the ground. These traits suggest something amazing. The cacti on this island do not have predators and facilitate their pollination by their lack of stiff spines. These cacti are living proof of evolution and adaptation in the botanical world. Astounded guests like the one pictured today can “pet” the cactus with amazement and curiosity.
Unusual sightings completed a remarkable day. A big manta ray (Manta hamiltoni) was spotted from the Zodiacs, and when we were ready to anchor off the northwestern coast in the early evening, two groups of cetaceans swimming close by were seen. The always-cheerful bottlenose dolphins (Tursiuops truncatus) were in the same area with a large pod of melon-headed whales! (Peponocephala electra). The latest is very rare small cetacean species not often seen in the Galapagos waters. At the end of the day, it is very rewarding for me as a naturalist to hear the most superlative comments about the beauty of the island and their inhabitants. “This has been one of the most wonderful places I have ever been”… “The most beautiful and elegant bird I have ever seen…” This is so interesting…” etc, are just examples of the enriching and sometimes life-changing experiences that the Galapagos can provoke in its visitors, on a day like today.
