May 24th - Isabela
May 24th - Tagus Cove & Elizabeth Cove - Isabela
Having cruised down the west coast of Isabela we moored off Tagus Cove. Tagus Cove is a sheltered mooring which has been used for many years by mariners, including pirates, to moor. The cliffs that surround the cove still bear the 'graffiti' calling cards of the many ships that have sheltered there, painted on the rocks. Here we undertook a good long panga cruise along the cliffs and even entered a couple of sea caves in the pangas, which was quite an experience, with Brown Noddys flying in an out of the caves around our heads. We were also very pleased to see around 25 Galapagos Martins, the males a lovely deep metallic purple/blue - Andy and Ernesto were particularly pleased as this was the highest number seen here for 20 years. Other wildlife affording superb views were Galapagos Penguins, a Striated Heron, and Galapagos Shearwaters to name but a few.
Having cruised down the west coast of Isabela we moored off Tagus Cove. Tagus Cove is a sheltered mooring which has been used for many years by mariners, including pirates, to moor. The cliffs that surround the cove still bear the 'graffiti' calling cards of the many ships that have sheltered there, painted on the rocks. Here we undertook a good long panga cruise along the cliffs and even entered a couple of sea caves in the pangas, which was quite an experience, with Brown Noddys flying in an out of the caves around our heads. We were also very pleased to see around 25 Galapagos Martins, the males a lovely deep metallic purple/blue - Andy and Ernesto were particularly pleased as this was the highest number seen here for 20 years. Other wildlife affording superb views were Galapagos Penguins, a Striated Heron, and Galapagos Shearwaters to name but a few.
May 24th Southerly cruise off Isabela
After leaving Elizabeth Cove we returned to the TipTop IV and then cruised south, making our way towards the southern tip of Isabela and our next destination of the port of Puerto Villamil on the south coast. During the cruise we watched for sea birds and cetaceans and other ocean wildlife. As usual there were petrels and shearwaters a-plenty, but we also saw swordfish [Marlin sp], a Frigatebird took a ride on the boat's radar, and we had amazing views of a Bryde's Whale which came up right next to the boat, having been spotted 'blowing' and then tracked by our obliging ships captain. Michael also got a shot of a dark-rumped Storm-petrel which was suspected to be a Markham's, but the jury is out until an expert has seen the pix. Well done Michael tho'. As dusk approached we were treated to some wonderful sea/skyscapes - see the pix below. Eventually we had to retire as the sun set. The remainder of the cruise passed during the night until we reached Villamil.
After leaving Elizabeth Cove we returned to the TipTop IV and then cruised south, making our way towards the southern tip of Isabela and our next destination of the port of Puerto Villamil on the south coast. During the cruise we watched for sea birds and cetaceans and other ocean wildlife. As usual there were petrels and shearwaters a-plenty, but we also saw swordfish [Marlin sp], a Frigatebird took a ride on the boat's radar, and we had amazing views of a Bryde's Whale which came up right next to the boat, having been spotted 'blowing' and then tracked by our obliging ships captain. Michael also got a shot of a dark-rumped Storm-petrel which was suspected to be a Markham's, but the jury is out until an expert has seen the pix. Well done Michael tho'. As dusk approached we were treated to some wonderful sea/skyscapes - see the pix below. Eventually we had to retire as the sun set. The remainder of the cruise passed during the night until we reached Villamil.