Eager groups ventured toward the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island at daybreak in search of the Galapagos land iguana. Cerro Dragon, or Dragon Hill, is aptly named for these endemic land reptiles that live around it. The cool overcast weather did not encourage large numbers of the iguanas out of their burrows to warm themselves, but several did venture out where we were able to see them clearly. Galapagos mockingbirds and flycatchers, as well as a variety of finches flew from tree to tree around us and were good photographic subjects for those quick enough to capture their movement. The stars of the morning, however, were two greater flamingos feeding in an inshore lagoon. Our senses of sight and hearing were stimulated by the contrasting color of the pink plumage against the brown of the lagoon and the whirling slurping sounds the birds made as they filtered the sediment at their feet.
As we entered the dining room at lunch, the aroma of Ecuadorian cuisine greeted us at the door. Hungry appetites after an active morning savored the many flavors of the fruits, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts and beer that come from different parts of this small but diverse country.
The scenic beauty of Santa Cruz Island continued to amaze during an afternoon Zodiac cruise in an area known as El Eden. Numerous pacific green sea turtles swam under the surface of the clear turquoise water lined with red mangrove and prickly pear and candelabra cacti. Blue footed boobies hovered overhead and pierced the water at high speeds searching for fish. Back onboard the National Geographic Endeavour, glasses of champagne were lifted as the ship circumnavigated Daphne Major and the sun set in the west, casting a rich red glow onto travelers reminiscing another special day in the Galapagos Islands.
