Isla Seymour Norte

Has anyone ever told you about the island that boogies? Isla Seymour Norte, a small uplifted island in the Galápagos, pulsates with life. It’s a flat, almost table-top island, not a volcano like many of its neighbors. Isla Seymour Norte is covered in low, bushy vegetation, a stark contrast to the volcanic landscapes found elsewhere in the archipelago. This unique landscape is thanks to seismic uplifts of submarine lava formations. The island earned its name from Lord Hugh Seymour, a prominent 18th-century British naval officer. Now, about those dancing boobies. Isla Seymour Norte is a haven for blue-footed boobies, known for their vibrant blue feet and comical mating dance. Males strut their stuff, lifting their bright blue feet high, showcasing their nest-building materials, and pointing their beaks skyward in a charming display to attract females. The island’s unique ecosystem isn’t just for the boobies. It is home to a thriving population of Galápagos land iguanas. These iguanas weren’t originally native to Isla Seymour Norte. In the 1930s, around 70 iguanas were relocated from nearby Baltra Island to protect them from introduced goats. The population has since exploded, highlighting the island’s ability to support a variety of species. Sharing the skies with the boobies are magnificent frigatebirds, easily identified by the males’ striking red throat pouches that inflate like balloons during mating season. These birds are clever hunters, often harassing boobies mid-flight, forcing them to drop their catch, which the frigatebirds then swoop down and steal. Isla Seymour Norte is also a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, and pelicans, all adding to the cacophony of life on this small island. If you venture along the rocky coastline, you might spot Galápagos sea lions basking in the sun or marine iguanas feeding near the shore. Though small in size, Isla Seymour Norte offers a big experience for visitors. Its flat terrain makes exploration easy. A visitor trail crosses the interior and winds along the coast, providing an up-close look at the island’s diverse inhabitants. So, next time you think of the Galápagos, remember the island that boogies, Isla Seymour Norte. It’s a place where blue-footed boobies dance, frigatebirds soar, and land iguanas thrive, a testament to the wonder and resilience of nature.