To the northwest of Santa Cruz and far from the inhabited part of the island is a location with remarkable variety in both flora and fauna.
After a wet landing on a rocky terrain we come across a white sandy beach surrounded by black basaltic rock. All this combined with the greens and reds of the plants give the place an outstanding mosaic of color. Of course, this area is also inhabited by animals like sea birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, shore birds and fish in tide pools.
Behind the beach we encountered a brackish water lagoon in which flamingoes find the favorite food, a microscopic shrimp called Artemia Salina, with in turn gives them their remarkable pink feather color. Here they share with other birds likes ducks, stilts and occasionally waders and shore birds.
A red trail (due to presence of iron on the rocks) takes us through a Palo Santo forest. Without leaves due to lack of rain, it looks gray at this time of the year. Finally we reach Dragon Hill, where land iguanas can be seen at any time of the year. Large iguanas, mostly yellow in color, are the highlight of the excursion here.
After coming back on board we get ready for a new adventure, snorkeling along the walls of small Guy Fawkes Island. It is home to different types of fish, sea lions, sharks and sometimes rays and turtles.
In the afternoon we move to a different island called Eden to go on a Zodiac ride along the coast and look for animals like birds or marine life in the mangroves growing along the shore. Turtles and baby sharks, rays and sea lions inhabit these areas.
To conclude this lovely day we navigated around the island of Daphne Major, where science found the perfect place to study finches over decades.
The sun set behind the island. With birds and other animals around, we see another fantastic day come to an end.
