Bartolome Island
Early this morning we climbed to the peak of the tiny yet spectacular island of Bartolome. From the summit the view of the surrounding islands and recent lava flows was superb. The contrasting colors spread below were striking: blue sea and sky, green mangroves, red volcanic cinder cones, black pahoehoe lava flows and white or golden beaches. We paused to catch our breath before trekking down again. Returning to the ship we ate hot cheese omelets served on the Teak Deck of the Polaris under a blue sky.
Late morning activities included glass bottom boat outings, and swimming or snorkeling from a small, golden-sand, crescent beach. The optional hike across to a second beach was a surprise and a great success. We found a sea turtle struggling back to the ocean, a dozen white-tipped reef sharks in the shallows and a lovely tawny juvenile Galapagos hawk. Those of us who looked for smaller quarry saw the ubiquitous Sally light foot crabs and lava lizards. One lizard (pictured here) was just finishing off a rather peculiar breakfast: he had eaten a smaller lava lizard! Microlophus lizards are occasionally cannibalistic, as are many other species of reptiles.
Early this morning we climbed to the peak of the tiny yet spectacular island of Bartolome. From the summit the view of the surrounding islands and recent lava flows was superb. The contrasting colors spread below were striking: blue sea and sky, green mangroves, red volcanic cinder cones, black pahoehoe lava flows and white or golden beaches. We paused to catch our breath before trekking down again. Returning to the ship we ate hot cheese omelets served on the Teak Deck of the Polaris under a blue sky.
Late morning activities included glass bottom boat outings, and swimming or snorkeling from a small, golden-sand, crescent beach. The optional hike across to a second beach was a surprise and a great success. We found a sea turtle struggling back to the ocean, a dozen white-tipped reef sharks in the shallows and a lovely tawny juvenile Galapagos hawk. Those of us who looked for smaller quarry saw the ubiquitous Sally light foot crabs and lava lizards. One lizard (pictured here) was just finishing off a rather peculiar breakfast: he had eaten a smaller lava lizard! Microlophus lizards are occasionally cannibalistic, as are many other species of reptiles.
