A little later a second one crossed our path.
A Silver Winged Fritillary.
Silver spots on the underside of the wins give it its name.
Our guide pointed out some mistletoe and then said "What are you waiting for."
This was the result.
Even after his implied invitation he seemed surprised ... and pleased.
The caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano is often shrouded in clouds so it is impossible to see the other side, 5 miles 9 km away.
We were fortunate to see it on a day when it was clear except for those cascading over the rim.
A truly unique waterfall.
On the edge.
With our crew.
The last eruption was in October 2005.
It is easy to distinguish between the lava from that event (black) and earlier eruptions (greenish).
Silver paw and our guide at the caldera with some of the cloud/fog blowing past.
On to the Volcan Chico Fissure.
Our guide said I could crawl into this tiny lava tube.
Not recommended, very sharp wherever you touch.
Out on the lava field.
Minor craters showing the colors of minerals that have been produced by the eruptions.
We crossed Pahoehoe (smooth, unbroken, rope like) and A'a (stony rough) lava forms.
A lava bomb that cooled as it flew through the air but was still soft enough to get other chunks of lava embedded in it when it landed.
A close view of chunks of A'a.
Bubbles of gas trapped in them make it them quite light.
And two forms of Pele's Hair, fibers formed when small particles of molten material are thrown into the air and spun out by the wind into long hair-like strand.
These words and many more about volcanoes come from the Hawaiian language.
I thought the volcano goddess Pele would be more attractive.
This may be one of her many sisters named Hiʻiaka.
It was surprising to me that you can easily see this trail.
The effect of foot traffic on lava leaving bits of dust from the lava chunks grinding against each other and bits of hikers boots and occasional skin.
Here is a wide view of the lava field.
This view shows the full width of Isabela island and its other volcanoes beyond.
This Yellow Warbler joined us as we were returning.
