Galapagos - Adventures of an English “Marine Aquarist”!
- Thread starter SPR
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SPR
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We continued to walk around Chinese Hat and the coast was wild with waves crashing onto the rocks, most if not all of which is volcanic
And then we made our way back to the Cachalote Explorer. She was build in 1988 originally as a Canadian fishing vessel and ideal to handle the seas, although most of the time it was very calm in Galapagos, certainly in May when we were there.
She was completely refitted in 2018 and is now a first class motor yacht and ideal for exploration and quiet comfortable.
We are still on the second day here and about to cruise to the next location
And then we made our way back to the Cachalote Explorer. She was build in 1988 originally as a Canadian fishing vessel and ideal to handle the seas, although most of the time it was very calm in Galapagos, certainly in May when we were there.
She was completely refitted in 2018 and is now a first class motor yacht and ideal for exploration and quiet comfortable.
We are still on the second day here and about to cruise to the next location
SPR
Well-Known Member
So we then cruised for a short period until we arrived at Isla Rabida
This is a very small island with a high iron content in the rocks which gives them a very red colour. But first we met one of the main inhabitants....
The Blue Footed Bird (censors!)
These pictures were taken from about 2 metres away so no zoom lenses here. Infact when we arrived the little sweetheart fired a long jet of poop at us!! Lol
And then time for rest..
This is a very small island with a high iron content in the rocks which gives them a very red colour. But first we met one of the main inhabitants....
The Blue Footed Bird (censors!)
These pictures were taken from about 2 metres away so no zoom lenses here. Infact when we arrived the little sweetheart fired a long jet of poop at us!! Lol
And then time for rest..
SPR
Well-Known Member
After having jet propelled poo fired at us from the local bird, we continued around Isla Rabida to our landing zone and you can clearly see the colour of the rocks and sand due to the high iron content.
The pictures of the pelicans were taken from around 2 metres, and they simply weren’t bothered by us at all.
And then we started our walk of the island......
The pictures of the pelicans were taken from around 2 metres, and they simply weren’t bothered by us at all.
And then we started our walk of the island......
SPR
Well-Known Member
Our journey around Isla Rabida came to an end and we came across a pair of pink flamingos, which is unusual as most left the island a while ago
And then there was an amazing moment, unfortunately I didn’t get it on camera.
If you picture the scene in the sunset, a sea lion was swimming right on the shore line hunting for fish, and he caught one, a rather large one. And then one of the pelicans decided it was his supper, so stole it off the sea lion. This fish was as big as the pelicans mouth and we thought no way can it swallow that. But down it went!!
The last sunset picture shows the pelican flying off in the distance, by the time I got the camera out! Lol
And what a magical place Isla Rabida was.....
And then there was an amazing moment, unfortunately I didn’t get it on camera.
If you picture the scene in the sunset, a sea lion was swimming right on the shore line hunting for fish, and he caught one, a rather large one. And then one of the pelicans decided it was his supper, so stole it off the sea lion. This fish was as big as the pelicans mouth and we thought no way can it swallow that. But down it went!!
The last sunset picture shows the pelican flying off in the distance, by the time I got the camera out! Lol
And what a magical place Isla Rabida was.....
SPR
Well-Known Member
We woke up early on 17th May 2019 to the island of Isabela
Isabela is the largest island In Galapagos and is the shape of a sea horse, the equator runs through it as well.
It’s also the only place in the world were you find penguins in their natural habitat in the northern hemisphere
We will soon see all sorts of wild life, and volcanoes, as we venture around Isabela over the next few days.
To start the day there was a visit to tortoise hatchery, but to be honest I couldn’t be bothered with this short trip, having already seen giant tortoise, and my view was also rather more appealing
So for the next few hours I just absorbed my surroundings on the most comfortable sun lounger
Bye......
The view was simply stunning
Isabela is the largest island In Galapagos and is the shape of a sea horse, the equator runs through it as well.
It’s also the only place in the world were you find penguins in their natural habitat in the northern hemisphere
We will soon see all sorts of wild life, and volcanoes, as we venture around Isabela over the next few days.
To start the day there was a visit to tortoise hatchery, but to be honest I couldn’t be bothered with this short trip, having already seen giant tortoise, and my view was also rather more appealing
So for the next few hours I just absorbed my surroundings on the most comfortable sun lounger
Bye......
The view was simply stunning
SPR
Well-Known Member
Glad your enjoying it pancho and it will get much better as were going to see some beautiful animals and scenery
SPR
Well-Known Member
Around lunchtime 17th May 2019 we started our journey to the Sierra Negra Volcano.
We met a few of the locals first who, well, were a little sleepy.....
Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos and located on Isabella island
It last erupted 26th June 2018 so is still very active and when we arrived at the summit your could see steam and larva flows in the distance. Fortunately we were on the opposite side.
The base of the volcano is around 100m deep and the lava flows you can see were from the eruption in 2005
When we arrived at the summit the view was breathtaking
If you look into the distance on the middle right of the first picture, you can see the lava flows glowing amongst the steam
The volcano was simply huge
We met a few of the locals first who, well, were a little sleepy.....
Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos and located on Isabella island
It last erupted 26th June 2018 so is still very active and when we arrived at the summit your could see steam and larva flows in the distance. Fortunately we were on the opposite side.
The base of the volcano is around 100m deep and the lava flows you can see were from the eruption in 2005
When we arrived at the summit the view was breathtaking
If you look into the distance on the middle right of the first picture, you can see the lava flows glowing amongst the steam
The volcano was simply huge
SPR
Well-Known Member
So we returned from the journey to the top of the Sierra Negra volcano still on 17th May 2019 and Isabela Island and it was time for a little relaxation in my favourite place.
I reminded myself why I don’t wish to partake in snorkelling, and we would see their much bigger cousins later....
There was also a shoal of 40-50 puffer fish swimming alongside the boat along with a sea lion.
The following pictures cannot express the beauty of this place, it was simply stunning. I took about 50 pictures so these are just a few trying to show the view I had for those few special hours.....
I reminded myself why I don’t wish to partake in snorkelling, and we would see their much bigger cousins later....
There was also a shoal of 40-50 puffer fish swimming alongside the boat along with a sea lion.
The following pictures cannot express the beauty of this place, it was simply stunning. I took about 50 pictures so these are just a few trying to show the view I had for those few special hours.....
SPR
Well-Known Member
Patience Pancho ! Lol
I will actually have to give that some careful thought. The place above was stunning, but then we have playful sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, the finches........ all to come yet.......
Here’s a taster...
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SPR
Well-Known Member
As the evening of the 17th May 2019 drew closer, I was sat at the back of the boat enjoying the sunset.
The pictures and my words cannot explain the atmosphere here, it was absolutely magical
I was watching the sun go down when a group of 6 pelicans flew past the boat. The Pelican picture isn’t up to normal standards because I was so shocked to see them, I had to quickly crab the camera with a burst of shots!
Enjoy......
And then these guys flew past..... I was completely speechless.....
And then the sky started to burn like fire... sunset at Isabela Island Galapagos..
The pictures and my words cannot explain the atmosphere here, it was absolutely magical
I was watching the sun go down when a group of 6 pelicans flew past the boat. The Pelican picture isn’t up to normal standards because I was so shocked to see them, I had to quickly crab the camera with a burst of shots!
Enjoy......
And then these guys flew past..... I was completely speechless.....
And then the sky started to burn like fire... sunset at Isabela Island Galapagos..
SPR
Well-Known Member
At 0530 on 18th May 2019 we departed the boat for the small island of Punta Moreno which is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano
The terrain was quiet hard to walk on in certain areas and consist of lava flows, but then you will come across a small oasis of a lagoon dotted around
The terrain was quiet hard to walk on in certain areas and consist of lava flows, but then you will come across a small oasis of a lagoon dotted around
SPR
Well-Known Member
We continued to walk around Punta Moreno and its volcanic terrain, and then came across a lagoon with flamingos......
And trying to get a picture of 2 flamingos with both their heads out of the water is a nightmare! Lol
They do it alternately, I guess for protection and to keep an eye out for potential harm
And trying to get a picture of 2 flamingos with both their heads out of the water is a nightmare! Lol
They do it alternately, I guess for protection and to keep an eye out for potential harm