Floreana Forever

We boarded the 15 meter 'speed boat' Luna Azul at 08-30, and by 10-15 we had covered the 60Km south to the Isla de Floreana. Here there was more hope of the 2 desired species, and as we were ferried ashore by a small tender already most cameras were clicking away at Galapagos Sea-Lions and Marine Iguanas (and one woman from the US even finding Sea-Lion droppings photogenic, whatever turns you on!). Close to the jetty there were also a couple of decent size Green Sea Turtles feeding, but they were by no mean as cooperative photograph wise. Now, those of you who have had dealings with scarce diving birds, such as Black Guillemot springs to mind, will empathise with what happened next. There was short wait for the bus to take us part way up the hill, and that was when I spotted 2 Penguins at the outer end of the jetty ,from where we had just come. Making sure I was seeing straight I clocked them with the 'bins', then ran the 200 meters or so to get a better look. Approaching cautiously, as they had now close to just a couple of feet from the sea wall, I again checked them with the glasses. They were feeding and as they dived I stood waiting camara poised, but they were never seen again.

The mighty Luna Azul

Welcome to Floreana

Green Sea Turtle

(Large & Colorful) Marine Iguana

Half way up the hill we started our search for the Floreana Sub-species of Giant Tortoise and for me Medium Tree Finch, one of only 4 of the 'Darwin's' I haven't seen. Neither took long, as within a few minutes we happened across five of the 'giants' which seemed to be attracting the Finches. More caution was required here as it was a mixed flock, and in all I recognised all 3 Ground, Vegetarian and Medium Tree, quite a haul but only the single 'lifer'.

Floreana Giant Tortoise

Ditto (head shot)

Brown Noddy

After the one hour walk we headed back to the boat and took another 20 minutes to get to where the snorkeling was to take place. However, not for me, I had other fish to fry, the first being the Penguin, one of which was waiting as we turned into a sheltered cove. A little distant but close enogh for a photo, before the Swallow-tailed Gulls started to arrive. Three in number flew tantilisingly close, but not close enough for the Canon, but what a bird. This has to be the worlds best looking Gull, if you know of a better one please let me know. Later we bombed off to yet another small island where, as a massive bonus, there was a GREAT Frigatebird 'rookery', fantastic to see males, females and orange/brown headed juveniles. There were also large numbers of Audubon's Shearwater performing the most fantastic fishing technique. Flying in small groups, they would hit the surface in a plunge and if unsuccessful would immerse their heads looking for prey before swimming underwater after any thy had spotted. I hope to publish a series of shots of this when I have edited them. In addition to all of this, on the way out we also saw flesh-footed Shearwater and Galapagos Petrel both 'lifers' for me.

So, after a great day it's a lie in tomorrow, breakfast and then I'll head to what they call 'The Highlands'. Of the 3 Darwin Finches I have left to see, Mangrove is only available on Isla de Isabella, and even then 'rocking horse droppings', while Sharp-beaked Ground and Large Cactus Finches are, I think, possible. We'll see!

Galapagos Penguin

Island with Frigatebird 'Rookery' (name not known)

Swallow-tailed Gull

Ditto

Ditto - I'm hoping for better images if there is another chance.

As a small diversion, this is Frederick (my second Grandson, doing well by the look of it!) with Mummy (Lisa) & Daddy (Bernard) in sunny Australia at Christmas - OK Cobbler.

Additions to Lists since arrival on Galapagos

BROWN NODDY
SMALL GROUND FINCH (E)
GALAPAGOS DOVE (E)
MEDIUM GROUND FINCH (E)
LARGE GROUND FINCH (E)
CACTUS FINCH (E)
LAVA HERON (E)
LAVA GULL (E)
AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER
MASKED BOOBY
LARGE BILLED FLYCATCHER (E)
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER
GALAPAGOS PETREL* (E)
MEDIUM TREE FINCH* (E)
VEGETARIAN FINCH (E)
SWALLOW-TAILED GULL (E)

Trip Total Species - 770
World 'Lifers' - 518
'Endemics' - 56