Genovesa Island, located at the northeast part of the Galapagos archipeligo, is deemed a “pristine island” because it has no introduced species, only endemic ones. The island is most well known for it’s incredible density of sea birds, including frigate birds, storm petrals, tropic birds, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, and red, masked, and blue footed boobies. Genovesa is the only island in the Galapagos chain that is home to the red footed booby. The bay where the Angelique is moored is actually the water filled crater of an extinct volcano.
We spent the morning walking along the western crater wall, and the afternoon walking along the eastern crater wall. The strangest oddity was seeing the unlikely nesting spots of the boobies. One is accustomed to seeing birds nest in trees. As the boobies and frigate birds have no natural enemies, they are quite happy hanging about on the ground. Not only do they not move aside while you are walking down the trails, but they will actually saunter right through your legs as if you are some large white tree that has suddenly sprung up on the path.