Española

Today, we explore Espanola.  In the morning, we have our landing at Punta Suarez, a major nesting site for the Waved Albatross, Nazca Boobies and Marine Iguanas.  Being able to see the massive albatross is a treat as I missed them on my previous trip.  They are in the process of arriving from sea and meeting up wtih their mates.  The albatross mates for life.   The females arrive to the island first and wait for their partners.  They female recognizes the male not by sight or smell, but by the very specific dance that their male has. It's like a secret handshake.  The albatross has around 11 different moves that it makes in its courtship dance and each individual male has a specific combination that is recognizable to its life long mate.  Most males hadn't arrived yet, but there were a few couples already reunited.

In the afternoon, we snorkel at Gardner Bay where we have our first underwater sea lion encounter.  Many of these pups have never seen humans before as there have been so few travelers to the Galapagos in the past year.  The 20 of them are extra friendly and curious.  I had forgotten how playful they are, diving and dancing with us as we snorkeled along.