Once in a Lifetime Galapagos Adventure on Española Island

From My Galapagos Islands Trip - July 2007

Espanola Island in the Galapagos

I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Galapagos in the summer of 2007 while my sister, Adair, was living in the Galapagos for a year doing research at the Darwin Research Center.  My brother, Alex, accompanied me on this once in a lifetime journey.  A journey that I will never forget.  A journey that has made me far richer than money ever could.

A close encounter with nature on North Seymour.

My sister, Adair, myself, and my brother, Alex

The following in an excerpt from a journal entry I wrote while on a 5 day boat tour of the Galapagos:

3 July 2007

Today was another fabulous and luxurious day with the animals, birds and sea life of the Galapagos.  We started the day with a hike on Española Island, a hot bed of wildlife activity despite the fact that the 4 million year old island is dying.  The island itself has huge rocky cliffs with giant waves crashing against them and is covered with black lava rocks.  

The coastline of Espanola Island of the Galapagos

We saw a plethora of big beautiful red and gray Marine Iguanas, found only in the Galapagos, sunning themselves on the rocks.  These reptiles have the unique ability to forage in the sea and can dive over 30 feet in the water.  As usual, the Galapagos inhabitant was not shy and I was able to get some close photos.

The beautiful Marine Iguana's sunning themselves.

After hiking for a short while and carefully navigating the slippery lava rocks, we came upon the majestic Waved Albatross.  There was a male and female near the walking path in the middle of their interesting mating ritual. It was a spectacular sight to see as they tapped beaks back and forth, as if in a sword fight, and then raised their heads up and down.  You can watch a snippet of the elusive courtship dance that I had the pleasure of witnessing in the 34 second video below, taken by Adair.  

Incredibly, the entire world's population of adult Waved Albatrosses return to Española every year during the nesting season, from April to December.

A mama albatross with her baby

We also got to see the albatross land clumsily upon the lava rocks (and I saw Disney's inspiration for Orville, the albatross in The Rescuers). We then saw another one of these great birds of the sea, they are the largest birds in the Galapagos, jump right off the cliff in order to take flight more easily with his massive wings. What wonderful displays of nature these islands hold!

We also saw more Blue-Footed Boobies.

Once back on the dingy on the way to our Eden yacht, we saw the marine iguanas in action as they swam out to the rocks where they feed on algae. Back aboard the boat I took a short nap and then it was time to go snorkeling in the glorious Galapagos waters teeming with life.  The water was cold but it was well worth it to see the hundreds of beautiful tropical fish along with a graceful sea turtle.  

The snorkeling in the Galapagos was great!

After lunch I took another nap which confirmed that life aboard the Eden is good (as if there was ever any doubt). We then had the opportunity to spend two hours on a gorgeous white sand beach on Española where the sea lions were numerous as usual.  

Sea lions on the beach.

Adair and I took a walk up the beach and found a spot among the rocks where we could watch the sea turtles from a bluff on the beach. It was so peaceful to sit there on the warm sand looking out at the aqua blue water and seeing the turtle's head pop out of the water to get air. 

We also saw lots of the lovely Red Rock Crabs.

Watching the wildlife this way, I felt like I had gone back in time to witness how the earth was before mankind took over. I am so thankful there is still a place in this world where the animals can thrive and so blessed to have experienced it. Once back aboard the Eden, we were greeted with a wonderful snack and witnessed a lovely sunset over the Pacific.  Life does not get any better than this!

Sunset in the Galapagos

For more pictures of the wildlife on Española, Click Here.

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