Pictures from our second day on the Galápagos islands.
Swallow-tailed gull
The big eyes are what allows them to fly at night. During the day, they rest.
The prickly pear cactus height depends on the iguanas
If there are iguanas, the need higher stems
Don't step off the path
Remember, it looks prisitine because everybody sticks to the path.
Sea lion mom sunbathing
The waters are cold and they are tired after the hunt.
Can you see the protective plastic around the cactus?
There are Opuntia conservation efforts on various islands.
Limited plant variety
There aren't many different plants on the Galapagos because it's so hard to get here.
The rocks are the favorite resting place of the birds
Do you know how I can tell? Let's just say the white stuff is not rock!
Claudia and Alex
Notice how the sun beats down on us. HOT!
Claudia
One of the rare moments where here face is not covered in too much sweat. It is sooo hot!
Marine iguana
They excrete extra salt by sneezing. The white stuff on their heads is the salt crust that remains.
The cruise ships can't land.
All the ships use zodiacs to transport passengers to the landing sites. Tourists can only land at well defined landing spots!
Low islands = dry islands
The iguanas eat the pricly pear cactus.
The settlers brought goats and pigs which outcompeted land iguanas and ate all the cactus
That's why the Galapagos have cactus conservation programs, and goat & pig extermination programs.
All of this is lava
The Galapagos are lava islands atop a hot spot. Layer upon layer of lava. And a thin crust of life at the very top.
Lava lizard
Males will stand just like this and make threatening push-ups to scare away the competition.
Claudia and the sea lions
As the sun is setting, more and more sea lions come ashore.
See how mobile their backs are?
They can use their flippers to scratch their faces.
Sea lions have tiny ears
Seals don't have ears. Sea lions descend from bear-like ancestors; seals descend from weasel-like ancestors.
Lazy moms and curious kids
Notice that sea lions can rotate their flippers and "walk" or "gallop".
Poser! Balancing the head above the body is relaxing.
Sea lions like to pose this way because it takes a lot of effort to hold your head in front of you.
Little sea lions following bigger sea lions
The young ones eagerly await their mothers and can't wait to get their share of milk.
Desperate baby sea lions
They sound like goats when they call for their mothers.
Sea lion yoga
Don't try this at home, kids!
Don't step into the sea lion poop!
The later it gets, the more sea lions there are. All male groups congregate elsewhere.
Mimus parvulus
The Galapagos Mocking bird doesn't look like much but it is curious, unafraid, and an excellent singer.
Grapsus grapsus
The red rock crab can jump across water, or "water walk" in a hurry if it needs a little more distance.
Rest! Sweet rest.
Swimming is hard work and sea lions want to rest their neck muscles when on land.
This beach is guarded.
Every beach is guarded by a bull who doesn't eat for the weeks and months that he rules this beach.
Baby sea lions want to play!
They are curious and will approach humans. Tourists must keep 1–2m distance, however, so move back if necessary.
Microlophus albemariensis
The female lava lizards have red throats.
Juvenile male sea lions learning to fight
Younger sea lions watching from a safe distance. Eventually, the males have to leave the safe beaches and find their own.
Baby sea lion sleeping
Sometimes it's hard to imagine how they get up here. They are surprisingly good climbers.
Opuntia in bloom
The native fauna eats every part of the cactus. In the rainy season, even the water logged flowers are a great snack.
Land iguana
Their skin looks all messed up but that's because they shed their skins, like all reptiles do. Sometimes it doesn't come off in one piece.
Our ship in the background
High stems are a sure sign of land iguana presence.
The difference between high and low tide is not a lot.
A few meters, perhaps? Young marine iguanas have to eat the algae in the exposed wet zone.
Can you spot the baby sea lion?
It's amazing how far away from the beach they sometimes sleep. Sharks don't come this far!
Land iguana
This one isn't as yellow as previous ones we've seen. Like all animals, there are often strong variations between the islands.
Sunset
A long day comes to an end.
Brown pelican says good night
To be continued!
