Wednesday - Galapogos Penguins and Diving Boobies

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> We travelled to Antarctica in 2019 and saw several different species of penguins. One of the most rare species of penguins is here in Galapagos and we were lucky enough to see it today! It's is mostly black with a white belly and stands about 18 inches tall. Like all penguins it is awkward on land but when it enters the water it is suddenly very graceful and fast.
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> We started the day with a zodiac ride along the west shore of Isla Isabela and very quickly saw our first Galapogos penguin! It was quite a moment having planned this trip for many years and knowing even if we came we might not see the penguins. But we were lucky enough and it was a special moment.
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> We also saw a ton of other wildlife and flora and fauna. The highlights were blue footed boobies and pelicans and flightless cormorants and turtles and sea lions and marine iguanas and so many more. We finished the zodiac ride in the mangroves. These trees can survive in brackish water and will slowly drop material to create new fertile land over hundreds and thousands of years.
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> Back in a small estuary we cruised above dozens of turtles and manta rays and sea lions and penguins with water so clear you wanted to reach out and touch them. The kayakers were also in the estuary so we were all pointing out what to look at.
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> We finally headed back to the ship for some lunch and a talk on Charles Darwin. This trip and been great at showing using things and then explaining what they are and why they have evolved here in the Galapogos.
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> In the afternoon we had another zodiac ride to the base of a volcano. On the way we saw the most spectacular show of diving blue footed boobies you will see anywhere in the world. Hundreds of them were flying and then tucking themselves into a small missile and diving deep into the sea to catch the sardines which are their principle food. Again and again these large swarms of birds would form and then dive together deep into the water. It was a sight that even our guides rarely see. They dive together because when they enter the water in large numbers it frightens the fish and they are easier to catch. We had some land just tens of feet from our zodiac and it was very exciting. Then they sit on the surface for a short time guzzling down their catch and then launch together to fly up again and dive again in big groups - sometime back at the same spot if the fishing is good.
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> Finally we headed for the lava beds which are jet black fields of rock. Some are flat and others are snakes of frozen lava in beautiful forms. The walk was very tough over the tumbling field of boulders so Dianne and I decided to end the walk early and head back out on the zodiacs to see more things in the water.
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> The highlight was a small island with blue footed boobies and piles of iguanas lying together and penguins and pelicans - all next to each other in the same place. Very interesting. The iguanas pile together because they are cold blooded so they are trying to stay warm. We finally cruised back to the Gemini after a very exciting day.
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