• SKIING THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA PART 1
• GETTING INTO WINTER CLIMBING SHAPE WITH FA GUIDE CHAD PEELE
• CARSTENSZ PYRAMID THE HEROES PROJECT EXPEDITION IN THREE ACTS
• KYLE MILLER ON FIRST FILM PREMIERE AND TRANSITIONING FROM SKI BUM TO PRO ATHLETE
• BE FIRST RECIPIENT JON TURK RECAPS HIS EPIC, FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ELLESMERE ISLAND
• TAHOE GUIDE MEETING DAY 2 THE GUIDE BUILT PROCESS

By Melissa Arnot

The theme for today is birds. North Seymour Island in the Galapagos is really the place for birds, and now is the season to see them. As we disembark, I immediately see the bright red necks of the frigate birds, and only a few feet away from our landing spot I can see the trademark feet of the blue-footed boobie. The colorful male birds are fighting for the attention of the few female birds and they aren’t fazed by our presence at all. As I wander around the island, it reminds me of a barren landscape from a cartoon. I have to be careful not to step on the small lizards that blend expertly into the landscape.

After walking the short loop and seeing various birds, it is time to get back on the ship and sail to another beautiful location, Santa Cruz Island. My initial reaction to this island is a shriek as I see the giant land iguanas in the sand. They look like mythical creatures from another time (or tiny dragons). I shriek again as I hear a “shwish” sound and notice that the iguana seems to be spitting at me. Our naturalist assures me he is sneezing to control body temperature but I am not convinced. As we make our way around a beautiful lagoon, the sight of animals so close that we can touch them is beginning to feel more normal. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow holds for us.

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