Our last full day in Ecuador was spent on Isla de la Plata, a small island around an hours boat ride outside of Puerto Lopez, and home to blue-footed boobies. When we arrived to the island, we saw sea turtles swimming right next to the boat. The captain threw some watermelon to keep them close by. 

The island was covered in bird flying in every direction including. Blue-Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and Frigates. After getting off of the boat, we started to hike around the island to get a better view of the birds. We saw quite a few Nazca Boobies, a species of booby that originated in Peru but now inhabits the Galapagos and other parts of Ecuador. We learned how to tell the females and males apart by the sounds they made. A male Nazca booby is marked by the high-pitch whistling noise it makes, whereas female Boobies make a deeper quacking sound. We also had the privilege of seeing a few baby Nazca Boobies. Further on in our hike, we began to encounter the main attraction of our entire journey to Isla de la Plata; the Blue-Footed Booby. Although most of the Boobies we saw were young and therefore didn’t have as bright of feet, the few that we did see were adorable. The vivid color of blue was shocking. 

We then head off of the coast to see Frigates, often referred to as “Piratas” on the coast due to their similar proclivities to seagulls to steal food and other goods. The Frigates we’re massive birds, and the massive red pouch that the male Frigates have made them even more terrifying, yet also extremely unique. The shear amount of Frigates was also amazing. They were flying everywhere, and the noises they made were very interesting as well. It was similar to a deep pitched clicking sound. It almost sounded like a horror movie sound effect. 

As our hike came to an end, we headed just off the island to go snorkeling. We saw sea lions, octopi, and lots of fish. On our way back to Puerto Lopez, we were followed by school of dolphins (including a baby!). The biodiversity of Ecuador that I was able to witness at Isla de la Plata and the surrounding coast was absolutely breathtaking and an experience that I will never forget.

Hasta Luego,

Olivia