Genovesa Island’s location in the northern hemisphere gave us the opportunity to cross the equator line twice in one week. The natural history of this island is very interesting. Because Galapagos hawks never colonized this island, short-eared owls are the top predators. This island also lacks terrestrial reptiles. The only reptile present is the marine iguana, which is smaller here than elsewhere in the archipelago. That may be the reason why the prickly pear cactus never evolved sharp spines here. Galapagos is truly a unique place on our planet.
10/3/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Bartholomew Island and Sombrero Chino
We split into groups for different excursions this morning. Four groups went up the staircase to the top for the iconic view over the isthmus of Bartholomew Island and Pinnacle Rock. We walked past exposed volcanic formations of all sorts: spatter cones, tuff cones, and lava tubes. Two other groups chose to explore along the coast by Zodiac in hopes of Galapagos penguin sightings. All of us were successful in what we hoped for and even the walkers saw penguins near the dock where we disembarked! Both snorkeling off the beach and deep-water outings along the backside of the island were tremendously productive because we saw it all: penguins and sharks being the top species, and diving blue-footed boobies too! The afternoon had National Geographic Endeavour II anchored not too far south, off the coast of Santiago Island near Sombrero Chino. A dramatically barren, small volcanic cone where another snorkeling outing was offered and late-afternoon Zodiac rides to search yet one more time for penguins. We can never get enough of them!