Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

A N A M A Z I N G
Natural Habitat
Adventure
Located on the equator about 600 miles off the
coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are synonymous
with Charles Darwin, his theory of evolution and
the tremendously unique biodiversity that inhabits
this area of the world. Sometimes referred to as the
Enchanted Isles due to the “Garua,” or mist, that
often encompasses them during the dry season
of July to December, these 19 volcanic islands,
primarily unpopulated by people, are right in the
path of the collision of two major ocean currents,
the northward moving Humboldt and the southward
moving Panama current. They also sit in the
middle of the ENSO or El-Nino phenomenon that
dominates the ocean-atmosphere interaction in
this part of the world. These three things –
geographic isolation, proximity to colliding ocean
currents and the lack of humans – are what have
allowed the Galapagos to evolve such a unique
array of biodiversity.
I was lucky enough to have the special opportunity
to travel to the Galapagos in August on a tour
operated by Natural Habitat Adventures
(www.nathab.com), a company founded and run by
NA alum Ben Bressler ’80. Spending seven days
aboard a luxury yacht in the Eastern Pacific,
traveling to eight different islands, crossing the
equator I don’t know how many times, hiking around
volcanic islands, snorkeling with sea lions – it was an
amazing journey! Each day began with a wonderful
breakfast on board the yacht, the Letty, and then a
short dingy ride to an island, to which we had arrived
overnight. Since each island has its own unique
microclimate and set of organisms, there was always
an adventure awaiting.
A very knowledgeable guide led us in small groups of
nine on a hike through the habitat of the island
where we saw the various forms of endemic wildlife
(unique to the Galapagos) such as land and marine
iguanas, lava lizards, albatrosses, flightless
cormorants, blue and red footed boobies, frigate
birds and giant tortoises. We discussed issues of
biology, evolution, geology and human population
and how these things have effected and are continuing
to effect the biodiversity on these islands which are
acting as living laboratories. The water around these
islands is in the 65- to 70-degree range during the
dry season due to the Humbolt current, so after a few
hours on the island we would go back to the Letty
and change into our wetsuits to snorkel.
The volcanic nature of these islands has created, in
many cases, sheer drop offs into the water right at
the edge of the island, so you can snorkel up next to
the island wall and experience tropical fish, reef
sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas and
even penguins, all swimming within your sight. Pretty
cool! During a delicious and plentiful lunch and
often a siesta, we arrived at yet another unique
location that allowed us to hike among and snorkel
with the amazing endemic flora and fauna.
The evenings were filled with a briefing on the day and
a glimpse of the next day’s adventures; conversation
with the other passengers during dinner; and perhaps
a glass of wine at the captain’s table. Later in the
evening I would often wander to the top deck (dressed
in my warmest clothes), chat with my fellow passengers,
and watch the Milky Way and the nighttime sky
unfold amidst the darkness of the unpopulated Pacific.
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