South Plaza

We awoke this morning anchored in a channel between South Plaza Island and Santa Cruz. South Plaza Island is a low lying, arid small island. The Island is less than 1 square mile with a maximum elevation of about 75'. The island is the result of an uplift caused by volcanic activity on nearby Santa Cruz. Evidence of an uplift can be seen in the coral remnants scattered about the island.

We were very fortunate. As we were clambering ashore, one of the naturalist spotted a hybrid iguana. The hybrid had the tail and eyes of a marine iguana with the snout of a land iguana. The hybrids are very rare and, to date, sterile.


Nearby, Paula spotted a sea lion that had just given birth. The frigates and pelicans were squabbling over the placenta. The sea lion picked up the newborn trying to get it to nurse but it was obvious that it was still born.



The pelican initially won the contest over the placenta but lost out to the frigate birds while trying to flip it into his pouch. Then it was the battle of frigates.


This final picture really demonstrates the uniqueness of the habitat. In this picture are a mature swallow tail gull, an immature gull, a land iguana, lava lizard, and marine iguana. None of the animals display fear.


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Location:South Plaza Island, Galapagos