The end of this voyage is near. We may go back in time, to only a week ago, and remember all we've seen. The first afternoon we had sightings of land iguanas, but this was only the beginning. As the week went on we saw albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, flamingos, a killer whale, dolphins, marine iguanas, sunfish, giant tortoises, red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, hammerhead sharks and believe me, this is only to mention a few of the animals! As you can tell, this week nature was at its best.
This is our last afternoon visiting the Galapagos and there isn't a better way to end our week. Santiago Island is full of life. The walk we take follows a looped trail, giving us a final opportunity to examine both plant and animal species. Though we find many of the animals and plants we have seen before, Santiago still holds its uniqueness. We find new plant species and have our best chance for identifying shore birds.
Our hike begins at four o'clock and it lasts for a couple of hours; it cannot last longer because the national park is open from six in the morning until six in the afternoon. Late afternoon is best for picture taking. As we walk along the shoreline we find marine iguanas basking in the sun, trying their best to absorb the last rays from the sun. Sea lions are returning to the land after a long day out fishing. Sally light-foot crabs look for cracks in the lava to hide in and protect themselves from the night's breeze and chill. The shorebirds are hoping from rock to rock as waves come in and bathe the lava. Here they find many sources of food.
As the hour approaches six it is time for us to return to the Polaris. We leave with a sensation that a part of us will remain behind. But most important, we realize that we will also take these islands with us. And believe me, after a week in Galapagos the memories of this special place will never leave you.
As the sun sets and the clouds come in, this Galapagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) seems to wait for a last prey to appear. For us the end of this fabulous week is near, but there is a whole new week to look forward to.
