Beach, Birds, and Balance - Bahía Gardner de La Isla Española
Bahía Gardner, Española, Galápagos
Ecuador-Galápagos 2018
20 February 2018
In the morning we took an awesome hike at Punta Suarez also on Isla Española. Link: Boobies and Blowholes...and a Billion Marine Iguanas [Isla Española]
Our afternoon activities were pretty simple for the passengers, but a lot of work for the crew. It ended up being the only time we were able to take out the kayaks and paddleboards. There were sign-ups at the prior night's meeting, and I waited for all of the couples to sign up first knowing I would be stuck on one of the paddleboards. They were in two shifts since there were 4 tandem kayaks and 2 paddleboards (10 each shift). While one group paddleboarded, the other group would chill on the beach.
Our afternoon activities were pretty simple for the passengers, but a lot of work for the crew. It ended up being the only time we were able to take out the kayaks and paddleboards. There were sign-ups at the prior night's meeting, and I waited for all of the couples to sign up first knowing I would be stuck on one of the paddleboards. They were in two shifts since there were 4 tandem kayaks and 2 paddleboards (10 each shift). While one group paddleboarded, the other group would chill on the beach.
After a delicious fishy lunch with ceviche, my panga went towards the beach while the other departed into the distance with paddlecraft in tow.
Beach n' Birds
The most noticeable thing upon beach arrival was this partial skeleton of a whale. The bones have been here for about five years.
We walked along the beach and just relaxed in the soft white sand. There were sea lions and birds.
A bunch of mockingbirds decided to put on a show with a very dramatic fight. I'm not sure who did what and who was on who's side or what was going on, but it was an enjoyable watch. The Española mockingbirds are known for 1) being only present on this island and also 2) not afraid of tourists and will go up to them hoping for food and water.
Española Mockingbird | Mimus Macdonaldi
- Common Names: Española Mockingbird, Hood Mockingbird
- Scientific Name: Mimus Macdonaldi
- Usual Adult Appearance: Slightly larger and less white tail feathers than most mockingbirds, long legs, down-curved bill, hazel eyes, Largest bill of all the Galápagos mockingbirds as well
- Juvenile Appearance:
- Mating Behavior: Live in territorial groups of 7-10 adult birds, but usually only one breeding pair within the group. Non-breeders help with defense and raising the young.
- Feeding: Scavengers, omnivorous
- Where in the Galápagos? Only on Española and Gardner Island
- Average Size: 26.5-28cm
- Average Wingspan:
- Weight: Male-76.1g, Female-64.8g
- Lifespan:
The American Oystercatchers were also very chatty.
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| American Oystercatcher |
Balance
When group 1's panga was visible, we began to prepare for our time in the kayaks/paddleboards. They had me go first so of course everyone was watching me transfer from panga to paddleboard. Luckily it went as gracefully as I could possibly be capable of.
One of the couples capsized their tandem kayak. I also handed Pepe to take some pics of me on the paddleboard. I even attempted the crow!
Then I transferred over to the previously capsized kayak for a more leisurely time exploring around without having to work out a bunch of stabilizer muscles in order to stay afloat. It was great being in a kayak paddling again - don't want to lose all those muscles I gained in Tena!
Fauna
- Galapagos Sea Lion [Endemic] Zalophus wollebaeki
- Española Mockingbird [Endemic] Mimus Macdonaldi
- American Oystercatcher [Endemic Subspecies] Haematopus palliatus galapagensis
Flora
Letty Map
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