Galapagos Islands Blog Day Seven
June 23, 2015 at 10:16 PM
This morning we anchored in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and after breakfast we departed for land and to visit the Darwin Research Station. The research station is just northeast of the village and is part of the national park. More than 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation efforts and is well know for it’s captive breeding program for giant tortoise.
One of the most famous tenants of the station was the only of his species Pinta Island Tortoise named Lonesome George. He died June 24, 2012. Numerous attempts were made to try to breed him with a species of tortoise that shared similar DNA but with no luck. Our Trekkers group who visited Galapagos in 2011 was fortunate to see him.
In the afternoon we traveled up into the highland of Santa Cruz in search of the Giant Tortoise. After a bit of a hike including through some marshy regions we were able to photograph some of these amazing animals.
Late in the afternoon we returned to the ship for an evening dinner and overnight sailing back to the port of San Cristobal. Here is the selection of todays photos.
Map showing last nights sailings and our trek into the highlands today
Busy at work just outside the Darwin Research Centre
Another busy worker, many beautiful flowers here
Street scene
Darwin finch as we walked around the research centre
This tortoise looks pretty relaxed
This is one of the two females that used to be with Lonesome George
The other female that use to be with Lonesome George
Fern checking out the tortoise ... who’s your friend on the post
Tortoise close-up
Well ... it’s a breeding centre!
Fishing boats docked at the fishing market
Pelican in the trees at the docks
Morning break, Anne Marie, Kathy with Nancy and Sabrina in the background
Kim with her boots on ready to look for the giant tortoise
Looking good Bill
Inside the visitors centre were two large tortoise shells Sabrina trying one on for size
Sabrina what a good sport ... Omar behave
As we hiked down the hill from the parking lot we came across this guy feeding
Amazing creatures
This duck was in a pond at the base of the trail
Another giant tortoise as we walked through a small forest area
The forest made for a beautiful backdrop
Kathy with the giant tortoise with someone in the shot, it gives you an idea of their size
Kim with another one of the giant tortoise
Angela and Ron by one of the tortoise
This is a great shot with Nancy
Sabrina with the tortoise
Kim too
Ok he says ... where did the girls go?
Nancy taking some fresh fruit back to our ship
Karen and Wendy celebrating another great day in the Galapagos
Fitting for the last image of the day .... the end
That’s another great day of our Galapagos adventure, good night from all of us here in the south pacific.