Flamingos frequent a brackish pond at Cormorant Point on Floreana Island.
Only a few were present the day we visited.
Monthly Archives: November 2014
Uncertainty
We came across a stationary sea turtle on the edge of the surf.
The waves washed up and back over the animal and it wasn’t moving. An inspection by our guide was indecisive.
Consultation and discussion resulted in more uncertainty.
Finally the turtle made for the water. “Enough of this!”, it seemed to be saying.
“Just tired and resting.”, was the conclusion of the experts.
Happy ending.
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Camouflage
As a newly hatched bird, going from egg to full grown magnificence requires good camouflage. Albatross chicks look pretty scruffy and dirty but they fit into their environment extremely well. Spotting the two chicks in this photo took me some time.
This chick fits right into the environment and becomes almost invisible.
Looks like a rock with a beak.
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Inland
Yesterday’s post looked out to sea.
Looking inland gives a different feeling.
The term “Moonscape” comes to mind. Except for the vegetation.
There is no fresh water supply on the island. This is a desert.
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Shoreline
Española Island is the oldest volcanic island of the Galapagos group.
The cliffs provide seabird habitat as the island slowly wears away from the incessant pounding of the waves.
This blowhole was quite spectacular on a relatively calm day.
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Mothering
Yesterday’s Blue Footed Booby turned out to be a mother. When she landed in the middle of our trail, her chick came waddling out of the scrub and we watched for some time as the chick coaxed her to feed it.
After a great deal of begging, the chick stayed hungry. Mom was not cooperating.
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Group Hug
Marine Iguanas Warming In the Sun
Marine Iguanas are cold blooded and depend on the environment to regulate their body temperature. They become very lethargic when temperatures are lower. Grouping together while lying in the sun collects and preserves the heat they need to be able to move quickly.
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More Booby
Nazca Boobies are particularly photogenic.
The origin of the name “Booby” is discussed Here . They really do show little fear.
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Eh?
This is the definition of “curious” when you look in the dictionary.
The bird is a Nazca Booby on Española Island, Galapagos.
It was working with its’ partner making a nest in the middle of the trail. We detoured slowly, not disturbing them.
The white material is called locally “Galapagos snow”.
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Gardner Bay Wildlife
The walk along the beach of Gardner Bay on Española Island provided a great opportunity to make photographs of the animals that inhabit the beach.
The Mother Ship
Española Mockingbird
The animals are quite unafraid, making it possible to get quite close for photographs. Note the polka-dot running shoes in the photo of the little Española Mockingbird. This is their world, not ours.
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A Visit to Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay on Española Island in the Galapagos has a marvellous beach. Several zodiacs were launched from the mother ship and people experienced a “wet landing” on the beach. After walking the beach and seeing lots of wildlife, those who wished were able to swim and snorkel in the relatively warm water.
A visit to Gardner Bay by zodiac.
Lots of wildlife on the beach and quite unafraid of the people. The word on visitor behaviour is to move slowly and gently and stay 2 metres away from the wildlife. No touching or petting allowed. Sea Lion moms identify their pups by smell. Touching a baby sea lion could mean rejection by the mother and death for the youngster because of the strange scent (sunscreen, bug repellent…) we leave behind on the pup. This is their home you are visiting and one must respect it.
The guides and zodiac drivers protect themselves from the strong equatorial sun (by wearing masks and long sleeves for example) as they work in it day after day.
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Are You Having a Good Day?
How’s it going kid?
Sea lions in the lava rock near the beach. Other wildlife as well.
Gardner Bay, Espanola Island, Galapagos.
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Frigate Bird
This was my first encounter with a Frigate Bird resting on a branch above the beach.
They soar in the wind when they are not taking time out.
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photodyssey 