Nature Travelers
Contact Us​
  • Welcome
  • About
    • About Us
    • About NatureTravelers.com
  • Our Travels
    • USA Travels Overview
    • 31 Days In Iceland
    • 15 Days In The Galapagos >
      • Galapagos Resources
    • 28 Days In South Africa
    • 43 Days In Costa Rica
    • Travels In Canada
    • Cruises
  • Travel Journals
    • USA Journal
    • Iceland Journal
    • Galapagos Islands Journal
    • South Africa Journal
    • Canada Journal
  • Photo Galleries
    • USA Photo Gallery
    • Iceland Photo Gallery
    • Galapagos Islands Photo Gallery
    • South Africa Photo Gallery
    • Costa Rica Photo Gallery
  • Future Travels
  • Welcome
  • About
    • About Us
    • About NatureTravelers.com
  • Our Travels
    • USA Travels Overview
    • 31 Days In Iceland
    • 15 Days In The Galapagos >
      • Galapagos Resources
    • 28 Days In South Africa
    • 43 Days In Costa Rica
    • Travels In Canada
    • Cruises
  • Travel Journals
    • USA Journal
    • Iceland Journal
    • Galapagos Islands Journal
    • South Africa Journal
    • Canada Journal
  • Photo Galleries
    • USA Photo Gallery
    • Iceland Photo Gallery
    • Galapagos Islands Photo Gallery
    • South Africa Photo Gallery
    • Costa Rica Photo Gallery
  • Future Travels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Darwin Lake, Isabela Island
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
15 Days In The Galapagos Islands

Day 8 - Espinosa Point, Fernandina Island & Tagus Cove, Isabela Island

12/11/2016

0 Comments

 
We once again moved overnight. And when we woke up this morning we were anchored off of Fernandina Island near Espinosa Point.

After breakfast, we were soon aboard the Zodiacs and heading for shore.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Espinosa Point Walk
Espinosa Point is a prime nesting beach for the Marine Iguanas and there were a lot of them there.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point Marine Iguana
We witnessed an iguana wrestling match and took a little video.
Later, we watched finches feeding on the small bugs  on the iguanas.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
There were also quite a few sea lions hanging out.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
While we were listening to our guide, this young pup decided to take an interest in the youngest member of our group.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Looking up, a Galapagos Hawk did a fly-by.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point Hawk
Moving around the point, we had some stunning views.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
In one corner, we located a few Flightless Cormorants, some of which were nesting.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
And of course there was an abundance of the ever-present Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point
After our leisurely walk on the island, we went back to the ship where we changed and grabbed our snorkeling gear. 

Espinosa Point Snorkel
Our Zodiac drivers dropped us off, and almost as soon as we hit the frigid water, Linda and I had our first underwater sea lion encounter. Here's a short video.
We've seen our share of sea lions over the years, but to finally be in the water with one of these graceful, curious animals in its natural habitat elevated the experience.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point Snorkel
We then came to an area where the current was strong, and the visibility wasn't great, but there was quite a bit of vegetation and several sea turtles. I counted seven in the video below.
After spending time with the turtles, Linda & I found a Marine Iguana feeding. It was our first and only time to get to see one underwater. It was a brief encounter as you can see in the next video.
Along with some common reef fish like the Sergeant Majors and Yellowtail Surgeonfish, we saw a Marbled Ray and got a good photo of this Bullseye Puffer.
Galapagos Islands Fernandina Espinosa Point Snorkel
After about forty-five minutes to an hour, we climbed back onto the Zodiacs and went back to the yacht for more hot chocolate, a shower, and lunch.

We moved across the channel to our next destination - Tagus Cove on the western side of Isabela Island.

​Tagus Cove Kayaking
The crew lowered the inflatable kayaks from the top deck and tied them together behind a Zodiac.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
They towed the kayaks over to the wall of the cove, and we slid from the Zodiacs into the kayaks.

We paddled along the walls of the cove where Linda & I spent quite a bit of time with some Galapagos Penguins. We nosed the kayak into the rocks and Linda talked to the penguins trying to get them to respond, but her efforts and penguin sounds had no effect.

It was hard to take photos from the kayak and, though we love paddling, the kayak excursions on this trip were our least favorite. However, later we took a Zodiac ride along the cliffs and got some great shots.

Tagus Cove Darwin Lake Hike
After paddling the kayaks back to the Domenica, we then boarded the Zodiacs once again. They took us to the dry landing for our walk up the hillside.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
Walking up the steps, there was an overhang to our right where a couple of sea lions were hanging out beside the graffiti left by sailors of the past.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
Taking a left, we climbed more steps and then an uphill dirt path. Here's a shot looking back down at the cove, the boats, and across the channel to Fernandina Island where we were this morning.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
We walked through the bare Palo Santo trees until we reached as stopping point overlooking Darwin Lake.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
Our guide told us that the sailors were excited to find this lake which sits inside a tuff cone above the bay. However, they were disappointed to find that the lake contains saltwater rather than the fresh water they were hoping for.

There is no life in the lake, and it's very interesting how the saltwater gets in through fissures although the lake itself is well above the sea level.

We continued up the hill for better views of the colorful lake with Tagus Cove and our ship in the background. Next to the view from the summit of Bartolome Island, this view from above Darwin Lake is probably the second-most popular in the islands.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela Darwin Lake
After getting plenty of photos, we headed down. There was the possibility of seeing Land Iguanas or even a Giant Tortoise, but we didn't see anything other then finches on this little hike.

We made the easy walk down the hill, hopped on the Zodiacs, and made our way back to the ship. Ah, but there was one last excursion, our sixth of the day.

We had choices. We could either snorkel in the cove, take a Zodiac ride, or skip it all together. The snorkeling didn't sound all that promising, so we opted for the Zodiac ride so that we could get better photos of the birds on the cliffs.

Tagus Cove Zodiac Ride
Our seaman took us out toward the mouth of the cove along the colorful rock walls.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Everything blends in from a distance, but as we got close we were able to get some nice photos of the birds on the rocks. Below are Brown Noddy Terns, Flightless Cormorants (with chicks), Blue-footed Boobies, and Galapagos Penguins.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
As I mentioned in a prior post, the Galapagos Penguin is the second smallest species of penguin (the smallest are the Little Penguins along the southern coast of Australia and New Zealand), and it is the only penguin species that lives north of the equator (although all the ones we have seen have been slightly south of the equator).

Penguins are also a favorite of Linda's so we have an abundance of penguin photos and videos. We were in the water with a couple briefly at Bartolome, but she is hoping for a longer penguin snorkeling experience.

Before heading back to the ship, I got this shot of a White-vented Storm Petrel in feeding mode with its legs dangling as it seemed to walk across the water.
Galapagos Islands Tagus Cove Isabela
Back onboard, we relaxed a little before our evening briefing and dinner. The anchor was raised and we pulled out of Tagus Cove for a long night of travel.

The sun illuminated the rocks and the moon was already in the sky.
Galapagos Islands Isabela
During the briefing, the captain invited any who were interested to join him on the bridge tonight as we returned north across the equator. We could take a photo of the instruments as they showed zero degrees latitude.

We took him up on the offer.
Picture
On the map at the top of the page, you can see that Isabela Island is shaped like a seahorse. Well, the equator runs right through the nose of the seahorse, so we were just west (left) of the nose at the reading above.

It was just a little bit of icing on the cake of another fabulous day.​
​Day 9 - Espumilla Beach, Puerto Egas, & James Bay - Santiago Island
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Albatross
    Boobies
    Day 01
    Day 02
    Day 03
    Day 04
    Day 05
    Day 06
    Day 07
    Day 08
    Day 09
    Day 10
    Day 11
    Day 12
    Day 13
    Day 14
    Day 15
    Finches
    Flamingos
    Flightless Cormorants
    Frigatebirds
    Giant Tortoises
    Herons
    Hikes/Walks
    Islands - Baltra
    Islands - Chinese Hat
    Islands - Espanola
    Islands - Fernandina
    Islands - Floreana
    Islands - Genovesa
    Islands - Isabela
    Islands - Mosquera
    Islands - North Seymour
    Islands - San Cristobal
    Islands - Santa Cruz
    Islands - Santa Fe
    Islands - Santiago
    Islands - South Plaza
    Kayaking
    Land Iguanas
    Marine Iguanas
    Owls
    Penguins
    Sea Lions
    Sea Turtles
    Sharks & Rays
    Snorkeling
    Visitor Sites - Bachas Beach
    Visitor Sites - Bartolome
    Visitor Sites - Black Turtle Cove
    Visitor Sites - Charles Darwin Research Station
    Visitor Sites - Chinese Hat
    Visitor Sites - Darwin Beach
    Visitor Sites - Devil's Crown
    Visitor Sites - Dragon Hill
    Visitor Sites - Elizabeth Bay
    Visitor Sites - Espinosa Point
    Visitor Sites - Espumilla Beach
    Visitor Sites - Gardner Beach
    Visitor Sites - Gardner Island
    Visitor Sites - Giant Tortoise Breeding Center (Isabela Island)
    Visitor Sites - Giant Tortoise Breeding Center (San Cristobal Island)
    Visitor Sites - Great Darwin Bay
    Visitor Sites - Isla Lobos
    Visitor Sites - Moreno Point
    Visitor Sites - Mosquera Islet
    Visitor Sites - North Seymour
    Visitor Sites - Pinnacle Rock Snorkel
    Visitor Sites - Post Office Bay
    Visitor Sites - Prince Philip's Steps
    Visitor Sites - Puerto Egas
    Visitor Sites - Punta Suarez
    Visitor Sites - Santa Cruz Highlands
    Visitor Sites - Santa Fe
    Visitor Sites - Santiago Lava Walk
    Visitor Sites - Sierra Negra Volcano
    Visitor Sites - South Plaza
    Visitor Sites - Tagus Cove
    Visitor Sites - Tintoreras Islet
    Visitors Sites - Cormorant Point

    Archives

    December 2016

Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy our website.

Contact Us

Nature Travelers  •  Howard & Linda Payne  •  Howard@NatureTravelers.com  •  www.NatureTravelers.com

All content, photos, and videos - Copyright © Nature Travelers.  All Rights Reserved.
Website Designed by: WCWDesigns