Galapagos Isabela, 12/13/2006

Christine and Dianne with friends

Two planes transport us from San Cristobal to Isabela

The new airport isn't quite finished.

Our abode for the next 3 days is right on the beach.

We have an hour before our next activity so Christine, Dianne and Jan stroll down the beach to find a few iguanas.

Three amigos.

Male marine iguanas are more colorful.

Find the 15 iguanas in this photo.

lava heron

We toured a tortoise breeding center.

They are placed back in the wild at four years of age.

Each egg is marked with the species so that it can be placed on the correct island.

flamingo

Iguana crossing

One the next day we start off on the boat to the Island of the Sharks Trail

The aa lava has white lichen on the downwind side only

iguana nursery

blue heron

aa gets its name from the sound made as one walks barefoot across it.

iguana

A very young sea lion pup waits for mama to return from fishing.

3 male iguanas keep watch over their territories.

We leave the island and see 8 penguins along the shore. Some are molting and can't get in the water.

4 peguins

We got to swim with one of these little fellows. He got within a couple of inches of Christine's mask and then she laughed and scared him off.

En route to the Tunnels we pass a lone rock out cropping.

The Tunnels are a unique lave field worn by waves into 100s of tunnels both above and below the water.

blue footed booby

blue footed boobies

penguin

penguin and pelican

penguin

the boatmen must know the area well to navigate through the Tunnels

we get a guide walk both above land and in the water

looking into the water from dry land we spot a school or surgeon fish and a white tip shark.

This cactus is 100s of years old and sports a trunk similar to that of a tree.

Snorkeling is fabulous in this area.

14 penguins, 2 boobies and a pelican on the aa lava.

16 penguins, 2 boobies and a pelican on the aa.

The next day we hike to Volcan Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico on its flank.

Marnie opts for the horse ride.

It starts out a bit muddy.

The caldera is 10 kilometers across.

Lava flowed a year ago in a great river through the caldera.

Foliage grows on the sides of the caldera.

Looking out over the caldera.

Fumes escaping from a hot-spot

Michael and Gerry pull up one of the few branches in the area for lunch.

Marnie and Dianne

Marnie, Dianne, Karen, Pablo (very good guide), Alen (back to camera), Wally, Karen, Dan and Judy

A colt came along to stay with mama and is taking a little rest.

lava formation in Volcan Chico.

The older section of lava flow in Volcan Chico has sparse vegetation.

In the distance is newer lava flows from 1970s.

A lava tube snakes down the hill.

lava collapses where a lava river banked against cooler stationary lava.

no vegetation on the newer lava.

A lava fall.

Removing a stone you will find moist and warmer air under the rock. There are active fumaroles in Volcan Chico.

gorgeous rock. Dianne really wanted some but this photo has to do since you aren't allowed to take anything but photos.

fumarole with the little vegetation found in the new lava area.

fumaroles

Looking toward the northern end of Isabela other volcanos can be seen.