Index
Day 1 - Guayaquil
Day 2 - Embarkation
Day 3 - N. Seymour/Rabida
Day 4 - Fernandina/Isabela
Day 5 - Isabela
Day 6 - Santiago
Day 7 - Santa Cruz
Day 8 - San Cristobal
Day 9 - San Cristobal
Day 10 - Return
Galapagos
Seymour Norte was described as "bird island" by many of the ship's naturalists for good reason. Managed to catch the tail end of mating season, where magnificent frigatebirds put on a big display with their red throats puffed out, advertising and sparring with other males. Blue-footed boobies had chicks of varying ages in evidence, and so many smaller birds I couldn't keep up.
Snorkeling brought out some extremely playful sea lions who all probably wondered who these strange mostly-hairless creatures were who keep showing up, and then decided they didn't care and why not have some fun showing off??
A short cruise westward to Isla Rabida for the afternoon landing, where the sea lions made their presence known in force-- and their playfulness, although for safety we were warned to keep at least 2 meters (6 feet) from all wildlife, sometimes further. Ducks, flamingos, and mockingbirds occupied a lagoon and the bushes nearby, while a lone male sea lion slumbered along the trail as groups returned to the beach.
Two different families on the sunset photography tour clearly had great fun, and to wrap up the evening, the first of many birthdays were celebrated onboard over dinner.