(December 4) Floreana Island has a colorful history, much of which seems to involve would-be settlers killing each other or dying of thirst.

A yellow warbler sits on a pile of seaweed on the beach.


Salt flats with flamingos.


White cheeked pintail ducks.

The volcano at the center of the island.


Stingrays swim in the surf.



More Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Higher up on the beach are nests left by green sea turtles.

A lonely candelabra cactus sits on a ridge.

Offshore we spotted a pair of green sea turtles mating

The female has to keep both of them afloat while the male climbs on top of her.

Another male waits his turn. Apparently the female will take turns mating with any male who happens to be around.

The famous barrel at “Post Office Bay” where whalers would leave letters to be picked up by any ship headed in the right direction. You can still leave a letter there and hope that some other tourist will deliver it.

A frigate bird flies over the boat while another one rests on the radar mast.

All posts from this trip.