In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's photos from the field feature romantic sunrises and sunsets from Vietnam and Baja California, animal courtships in the Galápagos, and undersea heart-hands in French Polynesia.
This morning, we embarked on an early skiff excursion along the tranquil waters of the Iricahua Stream. The stillness of the morning was accompanied by the gentle sounds of the rainforest awakening. After a brief and refreshing rainshower, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast aboard the skiffs. The experience of dining amidst such natural beauty, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Amazon, was truly unforgettable. We avoided the warmest hours of the day while enjoying various presentations on board. Isaac, a Delfin II bartender, taught us how to prepare Pisco sours and also gave us dancing lessons. In the afternoon, we went for a guided walk in the Yanallpa area. The highlight was an encounter with the elusive pygmy marmoset, the world’s smallest monkey. We observed these tiny primates as they nimbly navigated the trees, their curious eyes watching us as intently as we watched them. This rare sighting offered a profound connection to the rich biodiversity of the Amazon.
Today we traveled to the northern-most destination of our journey, the island of Angel de la Guarda. The largest island in the Gulf of California, it is found just offshore of Bahia de Los Angeles. We spent the day in the anchorage El Refugio, which provided us with flat glassy seas on which to explore. In the morning, we kayaked and paddle boarded from a sandy beach, navigating around rocky points, spying on schools of fish, rays, and starfish from above. We then boarded Zodiacs and went for guided tours around smaller islets looking for wildlife. And find it we did! CA sea lions barked and frolicked and chased our boats. We were even lucky enough to see a male northern elephant seal, which is a rare sight in the gulf. Ospreys soared overhead and a peregrine falcon could be seen in a nest. After lunch we headed back to shore where we set off on desert hikes. Here we walked over open land dotted with giant cardon and cholla cacti and hillsides populated with elephant trees with various lizards scurrying about. It was a lovely day full of life.
Today, we found ourselves in one of the most extraordinary places in the Galápagos, the youngest and most volcanically active region of the archipelago. We crossed the equator aboard National Geographic Islander II and celebrated this special moment as we ventured into the western realm of these enchanted islands. Throughout the day, we were rewarded with unforgettable encounters, including blue-footed boobies, Galápagos penguins, green sea turtles, flightless cormorants, and magnificent frigatebirds, all part of the unique wildlife found in this region. We had the chance to swim alongside these remarkable animals and take countless photographs. We were also thrilled to spot a pod of common dolphins gliding through the waves. In the afternoon, we visited Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, the youngest of all the islands. We walked among hundreds of marine iguanas, observed Galápagos hawks, flightless cormorants, and playful sea lions. It was an inspiring and truly unforgettable day.
Today, we visited the western Galapagos Islands. The black, rugged coastline is evidence of the youth of Isabela Island, and we immediately felt like we had entered a new world. This morning, we explored the beautiful mangrove ecosystem of Elizabeth Bay by Zodiac and kayaks. Mangroves are typical of tropical locations, but here they are the habitat of the endemic Galapagos penguins. What a unique combination! At Punta Moreno, we explored an inland trail leading to a brackish pond where a couple of American flamingos gave a splash of color to this vast field of young, black lava. This jagged shoreline is home to the largest number of marine iguanas in the Galapagos. At this time of day, we observed them warming themselves up on the black lava. We watched endemic flightless cormorants prey upon octopuses and eels, making us feel like we were within a documentary. Galapagos never ceases to amaze us and wake up our inner naturalist!
The anchor dropping was our early wake-up call. After breakfast, groups started activities in Buccaneer Cove, a well-known site on Santiago Island since the 17th and 18th centuries, taking its name from the fact that pirates, buccaneers, and later whalers used this bay as an anchorage to supply their vessels, look for fresh water in higher parts of the island, and catch giant tortoises for food. Several of us went kayaking while others went for a Zodiac ride. Later, a group went snorkeling and some guests enjoyed a glass bottom boat ride. At noon, our National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Global Explorers designed some fish of their own imaginations. In the afternoon, we visited James Bay where some of us hiked and observed Galapagos fur seals, sea lions, and shore birds. Others strolled, swam, and played at the beach. What a wonderful and relaxing day in paradise!
