Fernandino

Without doubt the most magnificent islands on the Galapagos. We spent 3 hours walking amongst the most amazing volcanic landscape which was home to marine iguanas that were spread out like a carpet over the rocks.








The iguanas were dining on the algae exposed by the low tide and would then swim through the tidal pools like mini crocodile like dinosaurs. Haul themselves up onto the rocks where they would warm up in the sun. To rid themselves of the water from the algae they would then snort and spit out water. Very odd sound when they all started doing it in chorus.
There were birthing pools for sea lions and we came across a baby that had been born that morning and still had the umbilical cord dangling. The mom was resting in the pool, after a long labour.





Sea turtles gathered in the shallows


and the red orange of the Sally Lightfoot crabs were the only break in colour on the rocks. We learnt the history of the name, Lightfoot as they can scramble across the surface of the water, Sally in honour of the cheating girlfriend of the scientist who discovered them!


The walk was littered with shouts of "don't step on the iguanas", they were everywhere and just blended in with the colour of the lava rocks.





We saw the nesting flightless cormorants whose wings have atrophied over time as due to their location and fishing habits, they have no need to fly.
Definitely the most magical day, if you ever come to the Galapagos, make sure that Ferdinando is on your itinery.