Española Island
Every week is totally different here in this beautiful archipelago. Last week we had a group of serious bird watchers on board and this week features a family trip with many enthusiastic kids. Today these kids and their families (plus the other adults we have on this trip, too, of course) greatly enjoyed the walk on Española Island.
It is amazing how from week to week the islands change! We visited this island last week and this week noticed many differences in the sea bird population. The juvenile Nazca boobies continue growing and are each day more independent. The blue-footed boobies are now courting and trying to find a mate. This afternoon we found a baby albatross hidden underneath its mother. By December this little bird will have grown and matured and will be ready to leave the island.
In the afternoon many of our guest disembarked on a powdery white sand beach to enjoy a couple hours with hundreds of Californian sea lions. Some of us also went by Zodiac to snorkel in the deep water around a small offshore islet. This was a fabulous outing, though at first the snorkelers were a little nervous. But once we had all jumped into the water, we saw that there were many brightly colored fish all around us. We spotted an eagle ray that swam very slowly close to us, looking like a giant butterfly flapping underwater. Later on we saw a fish feeding frenzy, made up of several panamic sergeant majors, Moorish idols, and angel fish. Our guests spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the beautiful white coral sand beach.
Every week is totally different here in this beautiful archipelago. Last week we had a group of serious bird watchers on board and this week features a family trip with many enthusiastic kids. Today these kids and their families (plus the other adults we have on this trip, too, of course) greatly enjoyed the walk on Española Island.
It is amazing how from week to week the islands change! We visited this island last week and this week noticed many differences in the sea bird population. The juvenile Nazca boobies continue growing and are each day more independent. The blue-footed boobies are now courting and trying to find a mate. This afternoon we found a baby albatross hidden underneath its mother. By December this little bird will have grown and matured and will be ready to leave the island.
In the afternoon many of our guest disembarked on a powdery white sand beach to enjoy a couple hours with hundreds of Californian sea lions. Some of us also went by Zodiac to snorkel in the deep water around a small offshore islet. This was a fabulous outing, though at first the snorkelers were a little nervous. But once we had all jumped into the water, we saw that there were many brightly colored fish all around us. We spotted an eagle ray that swam very slowly close to us, looking like a giant butterfly flapping underwater. Later on we saw a fish feeding frenzy, made up of several panamic sergeant majors, Moorish idols, and angel fish. Our guests spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the beautiful white coral sand beach.
