Thursday 2.10.14 – San Cristobal, Cerro Bruno, Punta Pitt.

This morning we motored to the Northern end of San Cristobal Island and we walked and snorkelled Cerro Bruno. Once again the Sea Lions, Marine Iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and diving Boobies. It was a beautiful stretch of beach and rock – we were allowed time to wander without the guide. Also saw several Sea Turtles swimming in the brilliant blue bay. Another beach snorkel, but a bit cloudy to see anything, it was another good swim.

Some of the smaller Islets of the Galapagos, we
sailed past this morning.

A lagoon.

Finch.

Tracks of some critter.

The crew on the beach - Suzie on the left.

These guys were cute and
posing on EVERY beach.

This guy had his tail tucked under, so you can see the
hip bones.

Waves crashing.

Sea Turtles swimming in the waves.

Sandy and sucking up the sun.

Bunched up, no idea why?

What you looking at?

A cactus.

We are into the rhythm of the ship now, off for a visit in the am – back to lunch and siesta for many. Off again at 3.30 for the second activity.

Today Alexis, the Captain, invited us up to the bridge, where he gave an overview of the bridge and equipment. We also saw Rays (manta?) flying out of the water and literally pirouetting before splashing back in – very cool!

The Bridge.

Punta Pitt. We ended up climbing from the beach
in the centre to the left top point, we went up to
the right and across to the left - I think.

We have motored to Punta Pitt on San Cristobal – the site of our next landing. On the way to the beach we detoured via a rock with plenty of bird action going on.

Heading for the Bird rock on the Zodiac.

At 'Bird' rock, we saw lots more Tropicbirds.
Still hard to photograph.

Plus our first sighting of Red Footed Boobies.
I really didn't know they existed.

RF Booby.

Tropicbird.

The landing beach. There were amazing layers and
conglomerate rocks around the place. All volcanic
action.

Marine Iguanas.

We climbed up there too.

You can see the rock, that has been trapped in
layers of Ash.

Lava Lizard. These guys were EVERYWHERE!

It was amazing scenery.

Yep we made it. L-R - Felicity,
Peter, Suzie, Bob, Marg, Gay,
Setsu, Lee, Cherie, Graham
and Hernan.

How these trees, hung on and got
enough water is beyond me.

Looking down to the Ships - Coral I & Coral II,
we always ended up in the same place,
and occasionally we ran into their groups.

Little plant surviving in most
inhospitable area.

Yes...you do need to stop at the
Stop sign, otherwise...over the cliff
you go!

There's a Red Footed Booby in that tree.

Two sets of Red Feet and blue beak.

That's a bit better.

I think that's the chick on the right.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's over and down we go.

Amazing red plant.

Red and yellow plants.

RF Booby sitting on a nest.

RF Booby flying along the cliff edge. They went
by so fast, it was hard to pan along with them.

Bob, with his mean lens, taking birds
over the cliff.

Amazing views.

Cactus everywhere. We saw
3 types, this Prickly Pear, the
Lava Cactus and on Baltra, the
Candlelabra Cactus.

Aww, Mum, I just wanna sleep.

New pup, cute as can be.

Then finished with a snorkel from the beach and out along the rocks, again it was mostly Sea Lions providing the entertainment.

Snorkelling and again the Sea Lions.