北西摩島是一個由海底火山爆發後熔岩向海平面凸起所形成的島嶼，整個“造島”運動前後持續了至少一萬年，島上岩礁發現有海洋生物化石的存在，為上述推論提供了佐證。目前，這裡已成為天然野生動物家園。 

      North Seymour Island was formed through a series of uplifts of lava that was originally erupted underwater because of the discovery of marine fossils on its plateau surrounded by low cliffs. These sporadic uplifts took more than a million years to bring the island to its present level. The island was now home to abundant and diverse wildlife.

      After lunch, we lined up for deep sea snorkeling around North Seymour Island. My partner was another boy named Xander from California, US. He looked like quite enthusiastic in my age bracket and had a sense of humor. We knew each other through jokes. Once on shore excursions, both of us shared new jokes, talked about our school life, and made fun of video games.

      吃罷午餐，我們列隊去北西摩島附近海域作深海潛水。同行的還有另外一位男孩，名叫山大，來自美國加州。山大與我同齡，不但精力充沛，而且非常風趣。只要一起出遊，我倆有說有樂，要麼搬出笑話講給對方聽，要麼交流學校里發生的趣聞軼事，要麼乾脆拿遊戲開涮。

      Before we knew it, we were jumping over the Zodiac's sides to the Pacific Ocean. Numerous of fish populated boulders which were covered with algae, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and slipper lobsters.

      轉眼間，大家一起從快艇上跳入太平洋。水中魚翔淺底，海藻海膽棲息岩礁，海參扇蝦固守珊瑚。正如唐代詩人柳宗元《至小丘西小石潭記》中所描述的那樣：“日光下澈，影布石上，怡然不動，俶爾遠逝，往來翕忽，似與游者相樂。”

      A fur seal jumped into the cool water and followed us around for a little while, scaring off the fish.

      皮毛海獅扎猛鑽進涼爽的海水，跟在我們屁股後面游來游去，一下子嚇跑了身邊不少魚友。

      After it got bored, we saw a school of fish come back. Scythe butterflyfish with all sizes paraded out of cracks while giant damselfish slowly swam along the rocks. Bullseye puffer floated luxuriously and trumpetfish darted casually among tiny pilotfish. A white-tipped reef shark then came into view, making several people scream. We ended it with four reef cornetfish dashing around.

      皮毛海獅剛剛離去，魚群隨即蜂擁而至，“眼似真珠鱗似金，時時動浪出還沉 ”。各種大小的鐮刀蝴蝶魚一齊從石縫裡竄了出來，列隊遊行浩浩蕩蕩；長背小葉齒鯛遊走在岩石之間，你追我趕興頭正高；彩虹狗頭四仰八叉漂浮海面，悠閒地享受無限風光；管口魚跟小鯖魚混得爛熟，隨便出入朋友陣營。不知什麼時候，白尖礁鯊突現眼前，頓時引起一片驚慌。“日暮紫鱗躍，圓波處處生”。上岸之前，四條棘煙管魚主動跑過來跟我們膩歪了好一陣子。

      After we quickly changed clothes, we headed for bird watching in N. Seymour Island.

      潛水結束後，我們趕緊更衣，掉頭登上北西摩島，實地參觀野生動物生態環境。

       On the even trail, a land iguana ate the opuntia and snaked across our path. It dragged its long tail and left a long line of footprints.

      走在北西摩島平坦的小路上，陸生鬣蜥一邊嚼着仙人掌，一邊朝我們緩緩爬來，長長的尾巴後面留下了串串腳印。

      A swallow-tailed gull with red eyes peeped from the nests, which meant she had a chick aside.

      長着一對紅眼眶的燕尾鷗虎目圓睜，站在鳥巢里密切注視我們的動向。顯然，她是為了保護自己身邊剛出世的寶寶。

      Because of bushy vegetation on a low and flat ground, North Seymour became the largest colony of two species in the Galapagos, i.e. magnificent and great frigates. Right in early April, it fell into the breeding season for the frigate birds. Male frigates were croaking with their dazzling red inflated pouch, attracting females with white necks.

      因為灌木叢生，再加上地勢低矮平緩，北西摩島一舉成為科隆群島兩種麗色和小軍艦鳥最大的繁殖地。眼下四月初，正值軍艦鳥繁殖季節。公軍艦鳥求偶時，脖子上鼓起的大紅喉袋是吸引白脖子異性的重要法寶。

      A large population of blue-footed boobies nested here as well. Mr. blue-footed booby danced, whistled in high pitch, walked with exaggerated steps, and unfolded their wings fancily to Miss blue-footed booby.

      大量藍腳鰹鳥同樣喜歡在此安家落戶。擇友交配前，鰹鳥先生一定要靠跳舞唱歌、高抬闊步、頻扇羽翼等表現手段來博取鰹鳥小姐歡欣。

      A common cactus finch built up its nest in the prickly pears and chirped happily as we left the island.

      仙人掌地雀將鳥窩搭建在長滿荊棘尖刺的仙人掌樹上，見我們離去，歡快地放聲高歌。

      North Seymour Island was a unique "living museum and showcase of evolution".

      北西摩島真是獨一無二的“生物進化博物館和活體標本陳列室”。

(二O一三年四月四日，清明節)