Galapagos Wildlife: Close-Up and Personal

 
Galapagos landscape with ocean and mountains.

Exploring the dramatic volcanic landscape of Bartolome Island.

Marine iguana resting on rocky surface.

Encountering a Galapagos Marine Iguana, just hanging out,

Marine iguanas resting on rocky shore.

and another Marine Iguana - this time surrounded by plenty of friends and family!

Bird perched on branch in natural setting.

A bright Yellow Warbler, one of Darwin's finches, resting on a branch.

Magnificent Frigatebird displaying red throat pouch.

A male Magnificent Frigatebird, looking for "love" by proudly displaying his bright red pouch.

Albatrosses in grassy field, Galapagos Islands.

Waved Albatross nesting on Espanola Island - one of the few places these birds breed.

Sea turtle swimming in clear blue water.

Four ocean currents converge at Galapagos, with this Galapagos Green Sea Turtle enjoying the warmer currents,

Penguin swimming in calm water.

while a Galapagos Penguin enjoys the cool-water currents.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises walking across the landscape.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises on the move - very slowly!

Iguana camouflaged in dense green foliage.

In the distance, I catch a fleeting glimpse of a very large Galapagos Land Iguana.

Sea lions and iguana on sandy beach.

Definitely a case of photobombing!

Blue-footed boobies perched on rocky shore.

Some Blue-footed Boobies gather,

Bird with bright pink webbed feet.

and no prizes for guessing that this is a Red-footed Booby!

Owl perched on rocky shore by ocean.

A Short-eared Owl, which has adapted to hunting during the day,

Sea lion resting on a bench.

and Galapagos Sea Lions, which have adapted to town life in San Cristobal

Three birds flying against cloudy sky.

Frigatebirds soaring above the boat, as sadly my Galapagos journey draws to a close.