Today we awoke at North Seymour Island, where we started our morning with a beautiful pre-breakfast walk. Here we were able to see different species of marine birds, including the most popular, which are blue-footed boobies. Blue-footed boobies are one of three different species of boobies that reside on the islands and actually the one with the smallest population. Nevertheless, it is the species we spot most frequently since they are coastal birds. We also saw male frigatebirds with their stunning red pouches inflated and chicks from both species everywhere.
Frigatebirds are nicknamed the pirates of the air because of the methods in which they obtain their food. Eighty percent of their diet comes from stealing from other animals, while only twenty percent of what they eat is hunted. The reason they developed this stealing strategy is because, unlike many other marine birds which are waterproof due to an oil-secreting gland behind their tails, the frigatebirds’ glands are poorly developed.
Sea lions were another great attraction for our explorers, who were fascinated with their antics. We also observed swallow-tailed gulls, as well as marine and land iguanas this morning. Seeing all of these species interacting and living together is quite a unique experience. Our guests were thrilled by the geology and scenery of this site.
We went back on board to enjoy a delicious breakfast. We also attended our snorkeling briefing and received our gear for the week.
After navigating for a few hours we arrived to Rábida Island. This island has the most popular red sand beach in the Galapagos. Here our guests were able to practice their snorkeling skills for the first time and had the chance to swim with sea lions! Right after snorkeling we went back on board, changed our clothes quickly, and went for a beautiful stroll along the beach where we spotted a colony of flamingos with many of their babies.
What a great day we had on the islands!
