At the risk of sounding cliché, the Galápagos Islands are a truly magical place. There are Sea Lions sun tanning on the sidewalks, Lava Lizards and Iguanas lazily sauntering about, and Pelicans covering almost every surface. A series of volcanic islands, the landscape is stark and barren, a far cry from the typical ‘paradise’ depiction, however it possesses a certain nirvana uniquely its own. Both under the sea and on dry land the encounters we experienced were incredible.
Giant Tortoises
In the 1960’s the population of these grand creatures synonymous with the Galápagos dropped to near extinction, but today many subspecies are back up into the thousands because of breeding programs around the islands. At one of the breeding centers we actually saw eggs hatching in a baby tortoise incubator. Next the little guys are moved into one of many large enclosures where they will live and learn the skills needed to survive in the wild. When the tortoises are ready they are re-released to the island of their subspecies origin and will carry on the life cycle naturally. The islands have 11 subspecies, including Lonesome Gorge, who is the last surviving member of his subspecies from Isla Pinta. He has been living at the Charles Darwin Research Center since 1972 - reproduction with another similar subspecies is the hope, but so far to no avail.
Marine Iguanas are also unique to the Galápagos. They survive completely off of algae and seaweed in the water and are surprisingly admirable swimmers, with long sharp claws for clinging to rocks underwater in heavy currents. Although their abilities in the water are distinctive, it was on land that I loved these guys.
After a swim they saunter up on to the beach and collapse, usually in huge piles climbing all over each other.
Their dark skin absorbs sunlight to warm them up after their forays into the cold waters. As if their smashed-in faces, spiky scales, molting skin, and salt-encrusted heads weren’t enough to love, they projectile snot excess salt from their noses!
Watching huge flocks of Blue Footed Boobies fish is like watching diving in the Olympics. Their grace is undeniable; nonchalantly cruising 20 feet overhead, in a split second they turn their bodies into projectile missiles barreling downward and explosively hit the water. Their wings are arched until the very last millisecond when they tuck them back for the perfect entry with no splash and a flawless ripple. They surface, and fly off a bit less gracefully, shaking out their wet blue feet.
We also saw a lot of other birds: Darwin’s Finches, Pink Flamingos on Isabella Island, Frigate Birds with their red chest pouch, and Herons at Tortuga Bay.
Fishermen bring their daily catches to the fish station to fillet and sell to the public, for the lazier Pelicans and Sea Lions this is the place to be. It’s quite comical, and a little scary, with dozens of Pelicans perched in all of the surrounding trees, on cutting tables, and storming the boats. Every so often one will make off with a scrap, we saw one grab the freshly snipped tail fin and try to choke it down. Every so often Sea Lions will also scramble up the rocks to await their piece of the pie, sliding on their bellies following the fishermen’s every move. I’m sure if it wasn’t for the camera happy tourists all around the little guys would get a pretty swift kick.
Great reading your blog. Love the way you write. Have fun. Chris
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and interesting post. The iguanas looked like they were smiling and posing for your camera!
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