Galapagos Islands Day 3 - Oct 22

Espanola, Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay

After the generator was repaired and all the passengers were back on board we left Wreck Bay at 0100 for Punta Suarez on Espanola Island.  The wind and seas made for a moderately rough crossing until we got into the lee of Espanola.  Espanola is one of the oldest and most southern islands in the Galapagos and as such does not have the obvious volcanic features of islands such as Isabela and Santa Cruz.  Letty tied to a mooring buoy at 0615, just as the sun was rising.  We had our first dry landing and set off in search of the Waved Albatross.  However, our first sightings were of more sea lions and then a large mass of marine iguanas huddled together for warmth before the sun climbed higher in the sky.  Our naturalist guide called them a "congress", since they just sit around and do nothing.  Heading off over a rough trail, Blue footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, more Marine Iguanas, as well as Swallow Tailed Gulls dominated the walking tour.  

Sea Lion and pup

Sea Lion Pups playing in shallows

Marine Iguana "Congress"

Male Marine Iguana

We were even treated to a sighting of the Galapagos Hawk and some Doves. 

Galapagos Dove

Typical Espanola View with Hawk

Passing by a blowhole along the steep southern shore, soon we were at the nesting place of the Waved Albatross, where several were performing the mating dance for us.  Along the trail were several more young Albatross chicks, as well as Boobie chicks.  The chicks were right in the middle of the trail and we had to step off to avoid them, since they have no fear of humans.

Blowhole

Swallowtail Gull

Lava Heron

Nazca Booby

Blue Footed Booby

Another Blue Footed Booby

Nazca Booby

Nazca Booby Pair

Waved Albatross

Mating Dance

Two females vying for attention

Lava Lizard

After returning to “Letty” for lunch we left Punta Suarez and motored a short distance to Gardner Bay for our first deep water snorkel, which only means that we jump off the pangas rather than enter the water from the beach.  The visibility was better than the first day, but still a little murky.  Returning to the “Letty” we had the opportunity to either walk on the beach or kayak.  Patrick chose to kayak, the only one, while Miriam stayed on board and rested.

After the Kayaking and beach expeditions we returned to the ship for the evening briefing and then dinner, which was the delayed dinner from the night before with the generator failure.

Again, with the exercise and long days, after dinner we retired to our cabins for sleep before the 0700 wakeup tomorrow morning on the island of Floreana.