More Giant Tortoises

Kira as a tortoise

Giant Tortoises on Highlands, Santa Cruz

Some of the giant tortoises we saw on a farm adjacent to National Park

An attempt to show size

Our excellent naturalist

Charles Darwin Station

Look how tall the cactus is

Giant cactus

Tiny baby giant tortoise

Older baby giant tortoise

Identifier on back

Linda with several tortoises in background

More older tortoises

Still more

The tortoises are kept at Charles Darwin Station until they are about

three years old. They need to be large enough that the Galapagos hawk

cannot kill and eat them. The older tortoises are there for people who

 do not get to see them in the wild.

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

August 3 2013

 "Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos

and home to Puerto Ayora (the largest town in the islands.)

In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared all the islands,

except areas already colonized, as a national park. In the

same year, the Charles Darwin Foundation was established

to promote scientific research and ensure the conservation of

the Galapagos. In 1992 the waters surrounding the Galapagos

were declared a marine reserve."

This morning we visited the Charles Darwin Station with

the giant tortoise breeding center. The breeding center was

established because the giant tortoise population had  diminished

almost to extinction.

It has been successful and they are now repatriating the islands

with their native tortoises. Each island's tortoise is unique to that

island so they had to put males and females from same island

together.

Two males and 12 females were brought from the island of Isabella.

But the males were not getting the job done. So they went looking for

a giant tortoise that had come from that island. In 1905 one was removed

to the San Diego zoo. In the 1970's "Little Diego," was returned to the

Galapagos Charles Darwin Station and put in the corral with the other

tortoises from Isabella. He quickly taught the males what was required

of them. We saw Little Diego. He and his friends have added some

1500 giant tortoises to the population. They think most have been

Little Diego who is well over 100 years old.

They are keeping a few of the giant tortoises at the station because

all visitors are not able to see them in the wild.

We walked back to the pier and I bought too many souvenirs. My

menagerie is growing.

Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island

Naturalist at informal get together

Blue heron in our backyard

Blue heron on Cerro Dragon

Beautiful flamingo

More flamingos

Can't get away from the iguanas

Afternoon Day 5, Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island

Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island

 "Cerro Dragon" or "Dragon Hill" on the northern coast of

Santa Cruz Island, takes its name for the population of land iguanas

living in the area. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape

from the top of the hill and two small brackish lagoons where

wading virds are sometimes found.“

This afternoon we took a walk along the beach and to a couple of

lagoons. The landing over lava was a bit difficult but the walk was

not too difficult.

We saw a beautiful blue heron, a land iguana and flamingos

in the lagoon.

Conversation with Naturalist

During our lunch break we had an "informal chat"

with David, one of our naturalists. He gave us a lot of

information about the people of the Galapagos.

He and all the naturalists are originally from here.

Some still live here and some have moved to the mainland.

You cannot just move here. If you were born here you and

your family may return. People such as doctors are not local.

Celebrity Cruises has a program where doctors in specialties

come here on the flight with the cruise people come on so people

can be examined without having to go to mainland. I'm not sure

when they return.

The naturalists work for a tourist company who works for

Celebrity. They work 4 weeks, then have 2 weeks off. Those

who still live here get to see their family the days the ship

stops there, so David sees his family every week for a couple

of hours.

They have to get a license as a naturalist for the Galapagos

and another for the specific national park they work. They

have an extensive 3 month training and must take refresher

courses and renew license every two years.

South Plaza Island

The islands had different type cactuses

Baby sea lion feeding

Beautiful finch

Landscape with ship in background

Pretty bushes

Owl, a rare sight

Nasca boobie

Naptime

They're not always on the beach

Colorful land iguana

Lunchtime

Morning, Day 6, South Plaza Island

August 2 2013

South Plaza Island

"South Plaza is a small uplifted island just off the northeast

coast of Santa Cruz. The low lying landscape is covered with

colorful saltbush , scrub and some prickly pear cactus.

A subspecies of land iguana is found on the island and and

numerous seabirds dwell in the steep southern cliffs."

As someone said at lunch, each island is different.

Today we walked along the cliffs of a landscape with lots

of cactus and some large rocks. The rocks weren't so

plentiful that walking was super difficult.

We saw

Land iguanas,

Sea lions,

Swallow tail sea gulls

Some people (including Foster) saw an owl. Our group

looked for it but it must have left because we couldn't find it.

Juvenile sea lions were playing near our pier and were

fun to watch.

Views from the Zodiak

Nasca Boobie

Cave

Nice View

See why we're touring by zodiak?

Taking a nap

Small Sea Lions

Look closely to see the small sea lions

Sea Turtles and Friend

Galapagos Penguin

Sea Turtle

Just look at them

What fun

Afternoon Day 5, Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela

Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island

"Vicente Roca is one of the most dramatic of landscapes in the

Galapagos. At the foot of Ecuador Volcano, this is an opportunity

to see first-hand the remains of the caldera and the abundant

wildlife now residing in the area."

Another incredible activity. If only we could continue on and on.

We had an hour's zodiak ride around the area and what a ride.

We saw fur seals, much smaller than the sea lions. We saw

nasca boobies

cormorants

small iguanas,

sea lions

We only saw one small penguin and it would not stand up for

us so it's hard to tell it's a penguin. Yes, penguins at the equator.

The highlight was all the turtles we saw. I was afraid because they

were in the water I wouldn't be able to see them very well, but our

driver got us up real close and personal. A truly "wow" moment.

More Catch Up

Day 3, Punta Comorant, Floreana Island

"Floreana Island is one of the four islands that Charles Darwin
visited in the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle. During
the 19th century, it was also the first capital of the Archipelago"


Day 4, Punta Moreno, Isabela Island

"This is the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago and is
composed of five volcanoes that over the years have coalesced
into one island. All of these volcanoes are still considered active
with the last volcanic eruption in May 2008. Punta Moreno is one
of the least visited sites due to its remote location and access.
Stark black volcanic rocks juxtaposed with the brilliant green of
lush plant growth around ponds make for a spectacular sight.
Add a mix of coastal wildlife and it's a visitor;s delight."


Day 4, Urbina Bay, Isabela Island

"In 1954, and area along the shore here was uplifted 12-15 feet
just prior to an eruption. The remains of a coral reef raised
during the uplift can still be found on land. Due to currents and
upwelling, the water in this area is noticeably colder than in
other pats of the Galapagos."


Day 5, Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island

"Fernandina Island is the youngest and western-most of all the
island. It is also on of the most volcanically active in the region,
the latest eruption having occurred in April, 2009. In 1968 within
a two week period the floor of the caldera sand 990 feet and in
the early 1970's the coastline at Punta Espinoza was uplifted
some 9 feet during an earthquake."

Catch Up Time

I realized this morning I had forgot to post the comments in our daily
program about the islands we visited. I will begin to catch up now.

Day 1 Daphne

" Daphne Major is the eroded remains of a volcanic cone. Formed
offshore of Santa Cruz it is a parasitic cone of a once-active volcano
and is off limits to tourists, but we can see a wonderful array of birds
along with sea lions while circumnavigating the island."


Day 2 Gardner Bay, Espanola Island

"This is the southernmost island and one of the oldest in the
archipelago at approximately 4 millions years old. Gardner Bay,
on the island's northern side is one of the longest beaches in the
Galapagos and a beautiful way to start the day."


Day 2, Punta Suarez, Espanola Island

"This is one of the islands' true gems where wildlife viewing
is at its very best. The full trail is approximately 1.5 miles long
and much of it is a difficult walk over boulders. The trail leads
to the very edge of the steep southern cliffs, where a dramatic
blow hole is visible and water can gush up to 16 meters into the air."

Many animals at Espinoza Point

Still on the lava rock

Our naturalist with colony of iguanas in background

Not worrying about this creature becoming extinct

More cute sea lions

Colony of iguanas

Another pair of flightless cormorants

Note the small wings

Sea lions still posing