Los Gemelos (Twin Craters) are located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. They are not actual craters caused by impact , but are sink holes that were created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time.
This area has very different climate from other parts of the island and are surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests, which our tour guide kept calling “broccoli trees.” It is the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens and many birds. Here, you are able to find the famous vermillion flycatcher, 8 species of Charles Darwin finches, and every so often short-eared owls.
Los Gemelos, Santa Cruz Island Galapagos
These volcanic craters were massive and didn’t fit in my frame (35 mm), so the second photo was a panorama taken by my iphone. They craters are located 25 m (82 ft) and 125 m (410 ft) on either side of the road. We ended up only doing the short walk to the first viewing point for each crater, but you can do the full trail for both in one and a half hours.
We only stayed long enough to catch glimpses of a few finches, but here’s a photo I found of a vermillion flycatcher:
Check out the photographer’s site (linked above). He teaches nature photography workshops too!
Los Gemelos
Trail length: 500 m / 723 m
Time required: 1 hr 30 mins
Open: 6A – 6P
Have you ever tried bird / nature photography? I’m learning that it takes a LOT of patience to get the shot.
See a video montage of our Galapagos trip
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