Isabela - Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove
The two sites we visited on the fifth day were on Isabela – Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove.
Urbina Bay
Urbina Bay is on Isabela’s west coast at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. It is home to the largest land iguana in the Galápagos and endemic Volcán Alcedo Giant Tortoise.
We arrived at Urbina Bay (Bahía Urvina) after an overnight voyage from Elizabeth Bay, anchoring early in the morning. Our morning excursion was before breakfast, making a wet landing around 6:30 am.
Urbina Bay Wildlife
Urbina Bay Wildlife
The trail goes inland into the arid zone, terminating in a small loop towards the end. The first thing I spotted was a Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise crossing the footpath. Then mockingbirds, Darwin’s finches, a semi-terrestrial and hermit crab. Also, a Galápagos flycatcher, although this photo does not feature in the gallery. Furthermore, two male medium ground finches show an all-black and slightly brown variant.
We spent some time searching for the biggest of the Galápagos land iguanas. Furthermore, we went around the loop section twice. Eventually, we found a Galapagos land iguana on the way back to the beach
Galapagos Land Iguana
The first of my Urbina Bay wildlife highlights was the Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus). Soon after photographing the iguana, a Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) was walking towards me along the trail. The second on my Urbina Bay wildlife highlights. Although it may have been the same individual, I photographed earlier, as it was around an hour later.
Volcan Alcedo Giant Tortoise
Finally, we headed back to the beach and returned to the boat around 8 am for a late breakfast.
The voyage from Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove
After breakfast, we got underway to cruise to Tagus Cove. So, I went up onto the top deck to watch and photograph wildlife during the voyage.
Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove Seabirds
Seabirds on the voyage from Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove
The gallery features male and magnificent frigate birds perched on the boat and flying alongside. Also, a mixed flock of brown noddies and white-bellied storm petrels with a close-up photo of the latter. In addition, an adult and immature lava gull and an adult laughing gull resting on the boat.
Tagus Cove
We were underway before nine in the morning, heading north to Tagus Cove. The cove provided a sheltered anchorage for pirates and whalers in the past. On arrival, our guide informed us that the captain thought it was too dangerous for the dry landing. However, people from another boat had already gone ashore. Moreover, the sea was calm and clear enough to see a concentric pufferfish near the boat. Also, storm-petrels were feeding close to the boat.
Tagus Cove Birds
Tagus Cove Birds
As we could not go ashore, I amused myself trying to take photos of the storm-petrels feeding at the sea surface. Furthermore, Elliot’s storm-petrels were pattering over the sea and dipping for food.
Bibliography - Online Resources
1. Galapagos Land Iguana 2021. [Online] Available from Galapagos Conservation Trust [Accessed 23-Aug-21].