The Galapagos Islands

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Spending four days cruising the Galapagos Islands - Santa Cruz, Santiago, Bartolome and North Seymour - is easily the best "nature" experience we have ever had in our lives (so far).

In the past few days, we have witnessed the courtship rituals of Frigate birds with their balloon like red chests; the mating dance of the blue footed boobies; the aquatic copulation of two enormous sea turtles; the suckling of an infant sea lion and the kamikaze like dive bombing of the blue footed boobies as they plunge into the ocean to catch fish.

I also had a sea lion swim by me like a bullet while snorkeling, observed some kind of ray jumping feet out of the ocean, watched a marine iguana eat moss off a rock from centimetres away and spotted a Humpback whale breaching a few hundred yards from our boat.

To say that the Galapagos Islands was an amazing experience would be a massive understatement - I think our pictures can describe things much better than my words can, so enjoy.......

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Photos

The "Dragon" of Dragon Hill
Land Iguana at Cerros Dragon, Isla Santa Cruz

The Race
Ready, Set, Go....

Feeding Time in Puerto Ayora
The open air fish markets attract all sorts...

Kissing on the Beach
Sea Lions gettin' frisky

Marine Iguana
Yes.....can I help you?

"Bye"
This baby fur seal waves good bye as we walk down the beach on Isla Santiago

Bartolome Penguin
These tiny penguins are the second smallest in the world - only the fairy penguins of Victoria, Australia are smaller

Resting on the Beach
The animals of Galapagos have absolutely no fear of humans, and if anything are just as curious about us as we are about them.

Isla Bartolome - Another World
One of the youngest islands in the Galapagos, Bartolome more closely resembles the surface of the moon and it is obvious that volcanic activity formed this island in the not too distant past (relatively speaking)

A Volcanic Landscape
Remnants of volcanoes are clear on Bartolome

Inter-species Playmates
This sea lion spent 15 minutes chasing the same pelican from pool to pool.....very amusing.

Our Galapagos Group
We were lucky to have a great group of people to share this experience with.

A Symbiotic Relationship
The Lava lizard is specifically adapated to eat the flies and ticks that "bug" the sea lions of the Galapagos - talk about a highly evolved ecology

Attracting a Mate
The male Frigate bird "pulls chicks" by blowing up a red sack on his chest to create a huge bright balloon and flapping his wings....it seems to work

Feeding Time
This infant sea lion feeds from it's mother within feet of us on North Seymour

Lady´s Choice
The female (white chest) Frigate bird checks out a couple of suitors..

Back Off
This sea lion gets a little upset and shows us who´s boss

Dance of the Blue Footed Boobie
This is the mating dance of the blue footed boobie

Comments

[amy neuman]

Wow
Unbelievable- and you've only just begun! Thanks for such excellent recaps and pictures - keep 'em coming!

[Cynthia]

THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Daniel and Janice -- your blog is FANTASTIC!!!! So glad you're taking the time to document and share all this. I owe you a dinner when you get BACK just for the fantastice armchair trip!!!! Best, Cynthia

[Celine]

Wow!!
all I can say is amazing!! What a beautiful place!! Be safe and enjoy your adventures!!

[Steve Geller]

And I Thought Planet Earth Was Cool
Ok, so much for the award winning special about our amazing planet. You guys are living it! Fantastic. I am looking forward to your future narrations. Safe travels - Steve

[Kristi]

Stunning photos!

[Saneel]

Amazing shots
It was fun! And these pics are awesome. Iguana's are cool :D

[Craig Goldsmith]

You Lucky Things - Just Amazing
Dan and Janice, You luck ducks, this looks like such an amazing place and the photos are just gorgeous I'm insanely jealous right now!

[Craig Goldsmith]

Finally!
Hi Daniel, I'm finally getting to go over there in just over a weeks time. Do you have any photography tips or hints before I get there I want to make the most of the landscapes and wildlife. (I'm re-reading many of your blog entries as a number of places in Ecuador and Peru I'm visiting you've already been too).