Once more the photo-specific groups went ashore early in the morning. I didn’t say “bright and early” because it was overcast; perfect conditions for photography. Urbina Bay, a small little indentation on the west coast of Isabela Island was the morning destination, and further north we sailed to Tagus Cove for the afternoon. Both morning and afternoon provided ample opportunity for thousands of photographs from the professionals to the amateurs, everyone had an amazing experience on shore, on the water, in the water, from sunup to sundown. My father would have been proud of all the photos his daughter took today, on his birthday!
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!