Galapagos Land Trip Day 3, 1 Dec 2013

North Seymour Island

On the Narel again, this time off to North Seymour Island (Isla Seymour Norte), which has a huge frigate bird colony. Some blue footed boobies were also breeding plus some land iguanas introduced from Santa Cruz Island. Which was lucky as the population of iguanas on Santa Cruz died out.

The North Seymour Island is named after an English nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour. Who was also an Admiral in the Royal Navy, and at one time a Lord of the Admiralty. He introduced Epaulettes into the Royal Navy. One of his sons was an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. North Seymour Island is mostly known by it English name, perhaps they like the idea of the English Admiral being named after an Island full of modern day pirates, the frigate birds.

There were many frigate chicks, of different ages. Several males were displaying, showing off their famous red display sack to impress the ladies. We managed to get some nice shots, but they sometimes looks like a jumble of black feathers. Although we were always on the tracks, Jaimie allowed a little more flexibility, to get some better shots. Thank you Jaimie.

We witnessed a couple of frigate checks being feed, including the attempted theft of food by another frigate. Its a hard life living among pirates.

There was even a few brave blue footed boobies nesting on the Island. Let the images do some of the talking.

Back to the boat and then off to Bachas Beach.

Bachas Beach

We landed at Playa La Bachas (beach). We walked up the beach to reach Bachus Beach the next beach along the shoreline, lots of sally lightfoot crabs about and a few pelicans. Both beaches were nice with clean white sand.

The Doc tried unsuccessfully to get the diving pelican shots he missed earlier in the trip. Some great shots of the pelican turning to dive but not hitting the water. The Doc worked out how to address that and of course no more dives!

We reached a lagoon behind the dune, out of luck no flamingos, so back we go. We relaxed on the beach for while and the zodiac came pt get us and take us back to port.