Santa Cruz Island
Overcast skies kept the temperatures down during our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station this morning, though the humidity which is always present in the southeastern corner could definitely be felt. The tortoises, including recent hatchlings and Lonesome George, were as active as I’ve ever seen them! Of course today was feeding day, and juicy slices of taro stems and other leaves were being deposited onto their dining tables, causing a mad rush (in tortoise time) to brunch. “Diego” was temporarily distracted from his food by a female companion who wandered near, but she made good her escape by slipping under a low branch which his saddle-backed carapace couldn’t quite pass under.
Bicyclers and power walkers both made good time to the restaurant where the light mist known as “garua” couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the volleyball competition going on. Swimmers weren’t fazed either, and after lunch, buses left for the highlands and further explorations and adventures. A grand total of 33 giant tortoises were seen…an extraordinary number, and vermillion flycatchers as well as a barn owl were added to our wildlife list!
The evening was spent sitting anchored in the bay under a dark night with the lights of town sparkling along the shore. We listened to a very talented group of musicians who came on board from the town of Puerto Ayora after dinner, and even a little dancing was had before collapsing in bed in preparation for tomorrow and the surprises to come.
Overcast skies kept the temperatures down during our visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station this morning, though the humidity which is always present in the southeastern corner could definitely be felt. The tortoises, including recent hatchlings and Lonesome George, were as active as I’ve ever seen them! Of course today was feeding day, and juicy slices of taro stems and other leaves were being deposited onto their dining tables, causing a mad rush (in tortoise time) to brunch. “Diego” was temporarily distracted from his food by a female companion who wandered near, but she made good her escape by slipping under a low branch which his saddle-backed carapace couldn’t quite pass under.
Bicyclers and power walkers both made good time to the restaurant where the light mist known as “garua” couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the volleyball competition going on. Swimmers weren’t fazed either, and after lunch, buses left for the highlands and further explorations and adventures. A grand total of 33 giant tortoises were seen…an extraordinary number, and vermillion flycatchers as well as a barn owl were added to our wildlife list!
The evening was spent sitting anchored in the bay under a dark night with the lights of town sparkling along the shore. We listened to a very talented group of musicians who came on board from the town of Puerto Ayora after dinner, and even a little dancing was had before collapsing in bed in preparation for tomorrow and the surprises to come.
