北西摩岛是一个由海底火山爆发后熔岩向海平面凸起所形成的岛屿，整个“造岛”运动前后持续了至少一万年，岛上岩礁发现有海洋生物化石的存在，为上述推论提供了佐证。目前，这里已成为天然野生动物家园。 

      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.

      吃罢午餐，我们列队去北西摩岛附近海域作深海潜水。同行的还有另外一位男孩，名叫山大，来自美国加州。山大与我同龄，不但精力充沛，而且非常风趣。只要一起出游，我俩有说有乐，要么搬出笑话讲给对方听，要么交流学校里发生的趣闻轶事，要么干脆拿游戏开涮。

      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.

      转眼间，大家一起从快艇上跳入太平洋。水中鱼翔浅底，海藻海胆栖息岩礁，海参扇虾固守珊瑚。正如唐代诗人柳宗元《至小丘西小石潭记》中所描述的那样：“日光下澈，影布石上，怡然不动，俶尔远逝，往来翕忽，似与游者相乐。”

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

      皮毛海狮扎猛钻进凉爽的海水，跟在我们屁股后面游来游去，一下子吓跑了身边不少鱼友。

      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.

      皮毛海狮刚刚离去，鱼群随即蜂拥而至，“眼似真珠鳞似金，时时动浪出还沉 ”。各种大小的镰刀蝴蝶鱼一齐从石缝里窜了出来，列队游行浩浩荡荡；长背小叶齿鲷游走在岩石之间，你追我赶兴头正高；彩虹狗头四仰八叉漂浮海面，悠闲地享受无限风光；管口鱼跟小鲭鱼混得烂熟，随便出入朋友阵营。不知什么时候，白尖礁鲨突现眼前，顿时引起一片惊慌。“日暮紫鳞跃，圆波处处生”。上岸之前，四条棘烟管鱼主动跑过来跟我们腻歪了好一阵子。

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

      潜水结束后，我们赶紧更衣，掉头登上北西摩岛，实地参观野生动物生态环境。

       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.

      走在北西摩岛平坦的小路上，陆生鬣蜥一边嚼着仙人掌，一边朝我们缓缓爬来，长长的尾巴后面留下了串串脚印。

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

      长着一对红眼眶的燕尾鸥虎目圆睁，站在鸟巢里密切注视我们的动向。显然，她是为了保护自己身边刚出世的宝宝。

      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.

      因为灌木丛生，再加上地势低矮平缓，北西摩岛一举成为科隆群岛两种丽色和小军舰鸟最大的繁殖地。眼下四月初，正值军舰鸟繁殖季节。公军舰鸟求偶时，脖子上鼓起的大红喉袋是吸引白脖子异性的重要法宝。

      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.

      大量蓝脚鲣鸟同样喜欢在此安家落户。择友交配前，鲣鸟先生一定要靠跳舞唱歌、高抬阔步、频扇羽翼等表现手段来博取鲣鸟小姐欢欣。

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

      仙人掌地雀将鸟窝搭建在长满荆棘尖刺的仙人掌树上，见我们离去，欢快地放声高歌。

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

      北西摩岛真是独一无二的“生物进化博物馆和活体标本陈列室”。

(二O一三年四月四日，清明节)