2-21-01

Tagus Cove off of Isla Isabela

We see the most wildlife during the dinghy ride along the inside of the cove and just outside. The cliffs are layers of ash from the volcano. Blue-footed boobies mark the cliffs with their droppings. Crabs scamper along the shoreline. Marine iguanas bask on the rocks. Pelicans and penguins are scattered throughout. 

Darwin Lake has no outlet. Hence, there are salt deposits all along the edge. The source is not clear. Some suggest that it seeps in from the cove through the lava during high tide or storms. But this makes little sense to me as the level of the lake is 2m above sea level and the cove. 

Before lunch, we swim from the boat. Several others and I jump from the sun deck. Galan does it twice.

Punta Espinoza on Isla Fernandina

The pelicans nest in Mangrove trees hanging over the water as we slowly drift by in the dinghy. The open their big beaks and show us their pouches. 

 Everywhere we go, there are more and more iguanas. There are hundreds here. One group assembled as though listening to the state of the islands address. I spotted Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond. 

I'm sure I've seen the head of an iguana in at least one science fiction film as the reptilian evil alien. And the face does evoke fear - they are pretty ugly.