North Seymour Island, Galapagos Islands

North Seymour Island is a small island situated just north of Baltra Island, the main point of entry for most people visiting the Galapagos Islands.

While the island is home to a large colony of blue-footed boobies and quite a few swallow-tailed gulls, most folks visit to see the frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) that nest on the island. These large birds are scattered throughout the landing area on the ground, in nests and hanging out in the Palo Santo trees. Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) also inhabit the island.

North Seynour also has some interesting plant life with the low growing Sesuvium plants (Sesuvium edmondstonii) adding a bright red carpet to the landscape. A variety of prickly pear cactus, the Galapagos prickly pear (Opuntia echios var. zacana) also adds some nice colour.

As with all the islands in the Galapagos, the birds and iguanas have no fear of humans. Very cool indeed!

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) male with wing over female in Palo Santo tree, North Seymour Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador