Tag Archives: birds

Galapagos Part 4: Rabida + Santa Cruz

Arnold: i can only imagine if “On the Origin of Species” had been written by you instead of Darwin

“Fig 18: Variations in cuteness of bird butts correlated with cuteness of local flora”

In the morning — a hike around Rabida, followed by some snorkeling (pictures from that to come later…)

The view of our boat from the beach.

A Galapagos hawk in flight — it’s tagged!

Fat bird with a red hat (vermillion fly catcher)

In the afternoon, we took a zodiac around Eden Inlet to look for sharks and rays. They’re pretty hard to see in the water.

Some fishermen (maybe sea cucumber?) hanging out.

Small unpuffed pufferfish

I swear this looked more like a shark in person…

One stop animal rock — pelicans, sea lions, sally crabs & marine iguanas.

Galapagos Part 3: North Seymour + Sullivan Bay

The morning in North Seymour:
We went on a leisurely walk to look at frigates, blue footed boobies, and iguanas and, as always, sea lions.

And the famous blue footed booby is on this island! Wooo.

Two lizards trying to eat each other. I’m pretty sure this isn’t a lava lizard, but I’m not sure what it is.

This land iguana started following our group as we walked down the beach, when I turned around, it flattened itself and closed its eyes. I guess it could pretend I wasn’t there?

These birds are hilarious looking.

SO CUTE. Galapagos sea lion — smaller cousins of the California sea lion.

Puff. Male frigate hanging out.

Male frigate flying around.

This is what most of the island seems to look like.

I didn’t get a picture of the booby dance, but I got one of head scratches!

And, as usual, the Galapagos isn’t a lush paradise. It’s covered in poop.

Then the afternoon in Sullivan Bay, Santiago:
We took a zodiac out to look for a penguin colony, then went on a hike across the lava flow (It’s 100-150ish years old, so fairly “recent”)

A Galapagos penguin!

And a funny looking one that’s molting. Looks like its wearing a fur hat…

Blue heron

A sally crab eating its buddy…

Apparently lava can look like cake batter

Or noodles

Or… I don’t even know what this looks like.

Cinder cones from a distance

Galapagos Part 2: Genovesa

Day 1! The guests were split up into two groups, and went on two different activities, then switched in the afternoon.

My morning was the exploration of Prince Philip’s Steps. The internet indicated that it the steps would be steep and hiking poles necessary… but not really. I think my mom mostly used her poles for waving.

First up, a red-footed booby hangout in the tree right after we finished climbing up the steps to the island.

And a nazca booby and it’s chick. The chicks look so derpy. After this picture, the chick proceeded to try to attack someones walking stick, then my shoe. I guess mom wasn’t feeding it enough.

A close up of the chick, after it attacked my shoe.

Nazca booby taking off. Bird butts!

This would have been a cool picture if I could aim.

I forgot what this little guy is called. Oops.

The trails are all marked, so you know where you’re allowed to walk.

This nazca booby was still breathing. Asleep I guess?

I guess being a baby frigate bird can be depressing? So sad looking!

Lava cacti! A pioneer plant that prepares soil for future plants. These were pretty cute. (Yes, I think plants are cute)

Some nazca boobys getting it on. It lasted a few seconds.

Why bring a macro if you don’t stare intently at birds?

In case you thought the Galapagos was a lush rainforest… Nope.

And a sea turtle Jonny spotted from our room while I was taking a shower. I totally thought he was trolling me when he started yelling “turtle! turtle!” but when I finished showering, it was still there.

In the afternoon, we went to Darwin Bay.

Here’s a lava gull.

And a sally crab. Our guide, Jairo, said you’re not allowed to eat them anymore, but they didn’t have much meat, so they weren’t great anyway. Darnit.