Isabela Island
Early in the morning we walked on pahoehoe lava flows on Fernandina, the youngest island of the archipelago. As fluid basaltic lava flows it becomes more viscous, and the more viscous it becomes, the more slowly and steadily it flows. Because the surface is in contact with the air, it cools more rapidly and a crust forms. The movement of molten material underneath buckles the surface and causes curved rope shapes, from which the smooth, ropy-surfaced pahoehoe (after the Hawaiian word for “rope”) gets its name. On one hand, the lava cactus are growing and colonizing on the lava flows. In the meantime, flightless cormorants are raising their chicks, and the largest marine iguanas are sneezing out salt in order to desalinate. They have specialized glands behind their eyes that are connected to their nostrils.
Our visit is momentarily interrupted by a whale spout sighted in the distance as well as dolphins that were feeding close. So we went on a Zodiac ride to see them closer. The underwater water world showed us a unique wildlife. The marine landscape was surrounded by algae: a great meal for marine iguanas and sea turtles that were grazing all around. The sea lions were playing and penguins were coming back from breakfast. We spend the afternoon at Urvina Bay located on the slopes of Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, where land iguanas are at present in their breeding season. Along the trail, the males patrol large territories where females protect their nesting areas as well. It’s easier to steal another female's nest than to dig one of their own. In the meantime, we were hiking in the same area that “teenaged” tortoises are found in. They remain in the arid zone of the larger for the first fifteen years of their lives, until they gain a certain weight and size. Afterwards, they migrate to the highlands in order to mate. Tortoises are known to be long-lived, and the ones we found had lots of growth-rings on their carapaces, a characteristic of juveniles as they wear off with age.
Another amazing day!
Early in the morning we walked on pahoehoe lava flows on Fernandina, the youngest island of the archipelago. As fluid basaltic lava flows it becomes more viscous, and the more viscous it becomes, the more slowly and steadily it flows. Because the surface is in contact with the air, it cools more rapidly and a crust forms. The movement of molten material underneath buckles the surface and causes curved rope shapes, from which the smooth, ropy-surfaced pahoehoe (after the Hawaiian word for “rope”) gets its name. On one hand, the lava cactus are growing and colonizing on the lava flows. In the meantime, flightless cormorants are raising their chicks, and the largest marine iguanas are sneezing out salt in order to desalinate. They have specialized glands behind their eyes that are connected to their nostrils.
Our visit is momentarily interrupted by a whale spout sighted in the distance as well as dolphins that were feeding close. So we went on a Zodiac ride to see them closer. The underwater water world showed us a unique wildlife. The marine landscape was surrounded by algae: a great meal for marine iguanas and sea turtles that were grazing all around. The sea lions were playing and penguins were coming back from breakfast. We spend the afternoon at Urvina Bay located on the slopes of Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, where land iguanas are at present in their breeding season. Along the trail, the males patrol large territories where females protect their nesting areas as well. It’s easier to steal another female's nest than to dig one of their own. In the meantime, we were hiking in the same area that “teenaged” tortoises are found in. They remain in the arid zone of the larger for the first fifteen years of their lives, until they gain a certain weight and size. Afterwards, they migrate to the highlands in order to mate. Tortoises are known to be long-lived, and the ones we found had lots of growth-rings on their carapaces, a characteristic of juveniles as they wear off with age.
Another amazing day!
