Day 5 --> Southern Isabella - Punta Moreno
Sheets of Lava (ps)
Patty and Cactus (sz)
Amidst this desolate terrain of broken lava and thin black lava sheets, a number of beautiful small lagoons may be found, hidden next to rough rock formations dotted with stands of parched cactus. Shimmering blue-green water filled most of these lagoons, although one was totally grown over with bright green vegetation.
Lagoon with Water (sz)
Dry Lagoon (ps)
In the largest lagoon, which was more like a mid-sized lake, we finally spied a few of the fabled Galapagos flamingoes. These delicately long-legged birds are a true flamingo pink.
Greater Flamingo in Lagoon (sz)
Lagoon (above), Landscape (below) (ps)
Back on the beach we boarded the zodiacs for a ride around the rocky coastline. We were treated to some fabulous close-up views of surf-pounded craggy black lava outcroppings absolutely covered with marine iguanas and rambunctious, barking sea lions, plus flocks of tiny Galapagos penguins strutting about, their little white shirt fronts gleaming from the water.
Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, and Sea Lions (sz)
Galapagos Penguins surrounded by teaming Marine Iguanas (sz)
Blue-footed and Nazca (Masked) Boobies (sz)
Iguanas and Penguins and Sea Lions, Oh My!
Look carefully - 2 marine iguanas are fighting and bumping into a sea lion, who quickly lumbers away.
Penguins waddling about
