Birds of Galapagos

As a passenger on Galapagos Eclipse Genovesa Cruise with AdventureSmith Explorations, I visited six islands including Genovesa, or Tower Island.

The northernmost island allowed to be visited by naturalist cruises is home to millions of birds belonging to many different species unseen anywhere else in the world. At top, a nazca booby and her chicks.

Galapagos Dove

The ship accommodates 35 to 40 passengers. Divided by three, groups have the full attention of naturalist guides who identify species and answer guest questions.

Red-footed booby

Nesting Nazca booby

Nazca booby chick

We arrived from the ship on a panga, a small inflatable boat, and slowly climbed Prince Phillip’s Steps, steep stairs carved into the rock leading to a plateau full of bird life.

Nazca booby

Everywhere along the pathways, in bushes and in fight I saw Red-footed boobies, frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, short-eared lava owls, Nazca boobies and other birds.

Cruise passenger takes photos of Red-footed boobies. Here’s one below…

Walking was easy as we moved in and among the native trees and plants. Toward the end of the hike we traversed ancient lava beds before heading back to the panga and the Eclipse.

Frigate birds: a pair above, the male at right.

Genovesa is only one of my many Galapagos adventures. AdventureSmith Explorations and the Eclipse staff and crew made the week-long cruise perfect. From excellent food and accommodations to at least two excursions a day – often more – this is truly a trip of a lifetime.

Short-eared lava owl