This journey continues as we visit the northern coast of Santa Cruz. A relatively dry environment in comparison with the lush southern coast as this is in the rain shadow of the island. We explore Dragon Hill finding land iguanas mixed with close relatives of lava lizards and the marine iguana. Flycatchers flit about feeding and the occasional mocking bird declares its territory. A forest of opuntia prickly pear cactus lines our path as we return to the coast. Exploration of the surrounding sea allows us a look at the three-dimensional world and the unique species found there. The afternoon finds us explore the coastal mangrove environment. As the sun falls into the horizon, we circumnavigate Daphne Island and learn of the incredible scientific study of Darwin finches found on this island and their evolutionary history.
5/29/2025
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National Geographic Gemini
Genovesa Island
Genovesa is considered one of the Galapagos crown jewels, and today it was showing off all of its splendor. Immediately after breakfast we put on our sturdy shoes and set out to explore Prince Philip’s Steps. This area is known for opportunities to observe not only large colonies of nesting Nazca and red-footed boobies, but maybe, just maybe, the short-eared owl which exhibits diurnal behavior on this island. After this walk we got ready for a dip in the Pacific Ocean and snorkeling along the inner coast of this caldera. The afternoon was equally amazing as we disembarked to explore Darwin Bay, along a short and easy trail that was packed with wildlife. Here we observed not only nesting frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies, but also a few yellow-crowned night herons. It was another incredible afternoon in the Galapagos Islands.
