Most of the Galápagos Islands are just the tips of larger, submerged volcanos; some, however, are the product of mechanical events where former submarine platform was uplifted a long time ago. North Seymour is an example of this being flat and dry, but it is located amidst highly productive waters. Various seabird colonies have made it their home, amongst them great and magnificent frigatebirds, native species of the Galápagos Archipelago. Each island we visit during our expedition is very different to the previous one, and Rábida has high elevations and a green vegetation cover. The most striking feature of this island is that its rocks and sands have high concentrations of iron oxide, giving it a reddish appearance.
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!