Isabela & Fernandina Islands
During the XVIII century whale oil was used all over Europe. The money you could get from it made the long sea journeys required for collection worth it; these trips would take years away from home. During those years the Galápagos Islands were very well known by whalers. You can find several species of whales in the archipelago; especially in a canal that separates the two youngest islands: Isabela and Fernandina. This morning we were at this place known as Bolivar canal. We did as whalers did centuries ago: We woke up early, went to the outside decks and started looking all over this immense sea that surrounded us. Finally we heard the magic word: Whales!
We spotted first two Bryde's whales, from the Mysticeti suborder, meaning barbed whales. This group includes whales that feed on krill. They filter water through plates made of queratine that they have in their mouths. This order includes the biggest animal on Earth — the blue whale.
But that was not the only surprise. A little bit latter we could see a blow again! More whales! But now from a different suborder! Odontoceti or toothed whales! We found Orcas! This order includes dolphins and big whales which have teeth. They are predators. And just a little bit later we found common dolphins! What a morning! After the Equator crossing we disembarked in Punta Vicente Roca. We explored the shore of Isabela Island from our Zodiacs to discover new species for us such as: penguins, flightless cormorants, fur seals and the very weird fish: the Mola mola! Snorkeling was a great opportunity to swim with sea turtles.
After lunch we dropped our anchor at Punta Espinoza, the only visitor site in the pristine island of Fernandina. While we were boarding our Zodiacs, bottlenose dolphins came to check us out! What a way to start! On land we disembarked on a new lava field covered by thousands of marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and lava cactus.
The youngest islands of the archipelago are always a mystery to discover, you never know what you will find here. Today the islands really amazed us!
