Tourist&Volunteers

Imaging Foundation's Galapagos Expedition - Daily Log - April 2006
Solo Expedition Member Finds Adventure, Education and Common Purpose

Just off the northeast side of Santa Cruz Island, the dive at "Gordon Rock" started out like many of the others until late in the dive we reached a ledge at 30-50' where sharks and a school of Eagle Rays were congregating. There were Hammerheads, White-tipped Reef sharks and Galapagos sharks among a myriad of large schools of fish. Everyone was very excited, bright eyed and huge smiles on their faces, adrenaline pumping, talking fast, everyone ready to dive again immediately - unfortunately we didn't have any bottom time left and this was our last dive!

In the early afternoon we had a photo session on South Plazas, Santa Cruz Island. Jay & Rick were shooting with the IMAX camera, quietly getting close-ups. We all photographed Marine and Land Iguana's, a hybrid Marine/Land Iguana, Sally Lightfoot crabs and literally dozens of Sea Lions, the huge males protecting the females & young pups. A huge male Sea Lion turned threateningly toward John & Dave, showing his teeth and barking loudly as they got within a few feet of them as they tried to get an extreme close-up shot. Two young pups slept on the warm rocks while dozens of other pups played in the water. The sleeping pups looked weaker than the others, their ribs showing from an apparent lack of nourishment, perhaps an example of survival of the fittest.

On arriving in the late afternoon at the Galapagos' largest town, Puerto Ayoro, special arrangements were made to visit a turtle farm. Several giant turtles made their way along narrow, grass-lined trails winding through small trees and shrubs while others made their own paths though the shrubs and tall grass. A female was sitting in a small, murky drinking hole the size of a small pond, bright green algae bubbling in patches on the still surface. Another large female approached the water and began a marathon drinking session as the expedition members snapped photos.

That night we were treated to a "Goodbye" cocktail party hosted by the Aggressor crew. They showed a video of the week's diving adventures and land tours as well as fun moments onboard during the trip.

Unfortunately the week was over so we all tried to finish our projects and pack to go home. There was some good news, though. By now we were working together better than ever and we felt we made a contribution while also having fun as a team.

"This is a place to ponder the awe of existence, the wonder of the creatures all over this planet, including ourselves, that have so far survived, and the lessons we can learn from the ones that have not." [ Michael D'Orso , Plundering Paradise, 2002 .]