Sealions and dolphins
Trip Start
Apr 24, 2007
1
61
68
Trip End
Jul 17, 2007
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Bartolome and Santiago islands,
Ecuador
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
On the journey to the landing point, we had a quick, and successful, hunt for some Galapagos penguins.
We also spotted some blue footed boobies (and Sarah smirked), some marine iguanas and some lava lizards.
Then it was off to a nearby beach for some sun bathing and swimming. As we got to the beach so did a few adolescent female sealions. We were able to swim with them as they played together. They seemed quite unbothered by us and they got very close to several people.
Then it was back to the boat for lunch and a short sailing to the island of Santiago.
A walk on the island followed. Part of the island is covered in a unique form of lava that produces some interesting patterns. Whilst here we spotted yet more lava lizards, some frigate birds (who often followed the boat), more crabs, some pelicans and a sting ray very close to shore.
Back to the boat and we set sail once again. Suddenly, a cry goes up "dolphins". A pod of 50+ bottle nosed dolphins was close to the boat and a number of them took to bow riding as we sailed by. How they manage to swim that close to the front of the boat often upside down and on one side is quite impressive.
