We arrived to the caldera of Genovesa Island early in the morning, and we were met by large numbers of birds flying all around the bay. After a delicious breakfast, we started our day with a hike that took us in to different colonies of sea birds, such as Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. The first was to the cliff and the feeding grounds of the short-eared owl, which we found, as we explored the lava fields. This species of owl is the top predator on this island, and it showed us its hunting skills today by stalking storm petrels along the shore. A second walk took us along the sandy nesting area
of the great frigatebirds. One of the most amazing things we observed today were some male frigatebirds, with their bright red gular pouch extended. The males inflate their pouches and show them off to look more attractive to females; February is just the beginning of the mating season for great frigatebirds and until July, we will find these males displaying their mating calls and pouches. To finish the morning, we snorkeled with hammerhead sharks!
After a delicious lunch, we switched groups, so that everybody would have the chance to experience all sites. The end of the afternoon, and the week, was marked with an incredible sunset! Our last day in the Galapagos, what a way to end such a tremendous journey!
