GALAPAGOS 2010: Floreana (Part 1)

The Post Office, decorated with gaudy scraps of wood, a few animal skulls and some other discarded matter, had rather humble beginnings that have become a Galapagos tradition.

Sailors passing through the region during the 1800’s would leave letters in an old rum barrel on what became known as Post Office Bay. Other sailors passing through would look through the envelopes to find any that were close to where they would be traveling and hand deliver them to the proper recipient. Today we can leave post cards (I always make them for my clients to be sure they have something to leave), and look for those that are close to home so they may hand deliver them upon their return.

After visiting the Post Office we did a bit of snorkeling from the beach where I followed a Green Sea Turtle as it fed along the rocks. After a quick snack and some water we motored out to Devil’s Crown where a few of us snorkeled while the rest enjoyed a skiff ride to see and photograph some of the birds.

White-vented Storm Petrels were in good number all around us, as were Audubon’s Shearwater, Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and frigatebirds.

The dance of the White-vented (Elliot’s) Storm Petrels as they fed on microscopic meals was like a ballet. They barely got their feet wet as they used the water’s surface tension to hold themselves momentarily stead to grab a morsel.