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DAY EIGHT ~ Española Island - Suarez Point

Punta Suarez is located on the western end of Española Island. We would hike a trail approximately 1670 meters in length and would take about 2 hours to cover it. The estimated age of Española Island is 3.3 million years. Basaltic lava rocks cover much of the island. The albatross is endemic to this island, and are present from April to November or December, when they breed and hatch their chicks. The rest of the year they are soaring over the seas, covering much of the globe in search of food. Albatross mate for life, and the same pair will return to the same spot each year to bear their young and complete the cycle of life.

This is the sort of dry landing I enjoy. Calm waters, and Jorge's helping hand to assist us out of the Zodiac.

Española has a high percentage of endemism because it is isolated from other islands; this is because the species in this island have no gene flow with species from other islands. Marine iguanas have a turquoise color with red in the breeding season.

We've obviously arrived here during the breeding season. The red coloring was striking.

But honestly, don't you think this guy has a face that only a mother could love?

Jorge gives us a little lesson in zoology, with the carcass of a marine iguana at his feet. He explains that their
teeth, which are tertiary, are uniquely adapted to their diet of seaweed growing on the rocks under water. This
is a prime example of the basaltic lava rocks that cover much of the island.

YEP, I'd say those were tertiary teeth all right. YUCK!

During our hike there was always something to see, in every direction. Check out those sea iguanas behind Joe. I
have no idea what the rest of them are looking at, but you can see that whatever it is, it has captured their interest.

We came upon a pair of Blue Footed Boobies, checking out a convenient nesting spot.

The male started getting a little cozy with the misses. A little Booby fore play was in order.

The fore play didn't last long, and he was directly about his business of procreation.

Then it was all about impressing his mate with this mating ritual. Isn't he an elegant suitor?

A pair of albatross were also in the mood for a little togetherness it would seem.

I am breaking here, and will resume in Chapter Twelve.