Galapagos – South Plaza and Santa Fe
Our itinerary on the ninth day included visits to South Plaza and Santa Fe Island.
South Plaza
The plazas comprise two small islands, north and south; only the latter has a visitor site. Although small, it is a wildlife-rich island that lies just off Santa Cruz’s east coast. There is an abundance of marine iguanas and some land iguanas that sometimes hybridise, also seabirds, landbirds and gulls. Giant prickly pear cactus and Galápagos carpetweed cover the landscape.
South Plaza was only a short cruise from our eighth-day anchorage near Baltra Ferry Terminal. After breakfast, we went ashore, landing at a small dock on South Plaza, ready for a long morning walk.
Giant Prickly Pear Cactus and Galapagos Carpetweed
The flora of South Plaza includes two Galápagos endemic plants: Giant prickly pear cactus (Opuntia echios) and Galápagos carpetweed (Sesuvium edmonstonei).
Galapagos Land Iguana on South Plazas
South Plaza has a small population of Land Iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus), the smallest Galapagos species. Also found on Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, and nearby islands (Plazas, Baltra and North Seymore).
South Plaza Landscapes and Iguanas
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Landscapes and Iguanas at South Plaza
Once ashore, we followed a circular trail. First, we walked through a breeding colony of swallow-tailed gulls. Then uphill to the south coast through a landscape dotted with giant prickly pear cactus and Galápagos carpetweed (Sesuvium). Then east along the south shore and returning along the north shore. The distance was short, but we spent around two hours photographing the wildlife on the south coast.
The gallery above features photos of giant prickly pear cactus, marine, land and hybrid iguanas. In contrast, the gallery below displays South Plaza bird images.
At the start of the trail, the landscape is colourful with brilliant red-orange Galápagos carpetweed and giant prickly pear cactus. Now and then, there is an opportunity to photograph a marine or land iguana. One photo shows a closeup of a land iguana peering into a nest hole.
Both marine and land iguanas hybridise on South Plaza (Ref 1 and Ref 2). The island is only about one km by two hundred metres at its widest point. So, the population are close to one and another. Hybrids are infertile and rare. Hybrid iguanas have distinctive colouration ‘a blend of dirty yellow and dark grey’ or ‘grey-toned with white speckles.
Birds at South Plaza
Red-billed Tropicbird at South Plaza
My birding highlight was a red-billed tropicbird flying around a small cove at South Plaza.
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Birds at South Plaza
Seabirds: Swallow-tailed gulls were nesting under a prickly pear cactus near the beach and a second pair on the south coast. And portraits of an adult and juvenile swallow-tailed gull. Also, a Nazca booby and a red-billed tropicbird flying over the cliffs.
Landbirds: A female medium ground finch and a male common cactus finch.
Santa Fe
Santa Fé (Barrington) is one of the oldest Galápagos eroded volcano islands. Furthermore, it is a small flattish island in the centre of the archipelago. And home to two island endemics; the Santa Fé Land Iguana and Lava Lizard. Also, one endemic subspecies, the Santa Fé Galápagos Mockingbird.
After visiting South Plaza, we cruised south to Barrington Bay on Santa Fé, anchoring inside the bay. First, we had a panga ride anticlockwise around the bay. Then, after a short break, we headed to Barrington Bay’s north beach for a wet landing.
Endemic Santa Fe Land Iguana
The Santa Fé Land Iguana (Conolophus pallidus) is the least colourful of the three land Iguanas species in the Galápagos. Furthermore, the other two are the critically endangered pink land iguana and the more abundant Galápagos land iguana.
Wildlife at Barrington Bay
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Barrington Bay Wildlife
After anchoring in Barrington Bay, we took an anticlockwise panga ride to photograph the marine wildlife. Later, we got our feet wet, landing near the colony of sea lions on the northern beach. We followed the circular trail anticlockwise inland, then back to the shore on the southern beach. I had the opportunity to photograph three Santa Fé endemics: land iguana, Lava Lizard, and a Galápagos Mockingbird subspecies.
References – Online Resources
1. Rare Hybrid Iguana of South Plaza Island 2015. [Online] Available from Smithsonian Magazine [Accessed 23-Sep-21].
2. Welcome to the hybrid zone 2021. [Online] Available from Galapagos Conservation Trust [Accessed 23-Sep-21].