North Seymour
North Seymour
We got up at 6 and had breakfast at 7 so we could take the 45 minute bus ride at 8 to get to the dock where our “day boat” excursion was waiting. We had to go from the dock to the small day boat in a wooden dinghy. Both the embarkation and the debarkation were rough and scary. We “cruised” for about 45 minutes to North Seymour Island. It was a dry landing in heavy swell. We hiked for about two and one-half hours over irregular lava rock, dirt and lava gravel. We saw sea iguanas, some of which were quite big. We saw lots and lots of frigate birds, both the Great and the Magnificent varieties. It was mating season and the males were putting on quite a show by puffing up their huge bright red air sacks, clicking their beaks, and extending their wings all to attract a female frigate. There are many more males than females so the female chooses the best male she sees. After mating the female lays one egg that takes 30 days to hatch. Both patents take turns incubating the egg. They feed the rapidly growing chick for 18 months by which time the chick is heavier than the parents. The chicks don’t learn to fly until they are 18 months old. The frigate birds eat fish but they either have to steal them from seabirds or grab small fish from the top of the water. This is because the frigates are not sea birds; there is not enough oil in their feathers to shed water, so if they get wet, they drown. The young have one chance to figure this out. We saw males, females, couples, new chicks, and adolescent chicks. We saw a chick being fed regurgitated fish and saw a pair of adult mate. We could get close enough to touch them, but of course we did not do that.
We went back to the day boat after that adventure for another 30-40 minute cruise. We had lunch on board – fish, rice, veggies and Coke. The next activity was a wet landing on a sandy beach back on Santa Cruz Island and another hike across sand and rock. We saw a great blue heron and some crabs. The feature of this beach (called barge beach) was the iron remains of US barges from World War II. All that is left that you can see is some iron poles(maybe a few inches high) sticking out of the sand.
Back to the boat via wooden dinghy for another 30 minute cruise to the dock, followed by the 45 minute bus ride back to the hotel. We showered, had a drink, did the debrief, and had a group dinner at a local restaurant. The entrée was pasta.
Helen’s Journal
Saturday, October 28, 2006