Frigate birds. Check!
Boobies. Check!Finches. Check!
Sea lions. Check!
Fur seals. Check!
Giant tortoises. Check!
...So, who am I missing?!
A trip to the Galapagos wouldn't be complete without experiencing the awesome iguanas. Saw them in many of the islands, but my favorite scene was this:
A whole clan basking in the sun @ Fernandina Island. I love how they stack on top of one another, not minding if they get stepped on and squished. So carefree!These are the marine iguanas. As the name suggests, they can swim. And they look rather silly doing it too, particularly when their heads are popped up while wading thru the waters : ) But that's deceiving...because they're capable of swimming quickly and deeply under water for food (algae). After their swim and meals, they all come back up to land and digest under the sun.
Because they hardly ever move while on land, it's easy to get up close and personal with these iguanas. A close observation of their face reveals a resemblance to the dinosaurs. Moreover, it makes me want to give them a bath and a good scrubbing:
What's cooler, though, are the mature male marine iguanas. Beautiful colors during the mating season!!!
The other type of iguanas native to the Galapagos are these yellow land iguanas. They can grow pretty big and fat. I admit, not as impressive as the marine ones.
...So, iguanas. Check!
What's cooler, though, are the mature male marine iguanas. Beautiful colors during the mating season!!!The other type of iguanas native to the Galapagos are these yellow land iguanas. They can grow pretty big and fat. I admit, not as impressive as the marine ones....So, iguanas. Check!I guess the final noteworthy creature is the Sally lightfoot crab.
Cute name. Adorable, round eyes. They scurried up and down the beaches and rocks on all the islands we visited, but they were most impressive on the islands with black lava rocks. Just because the contrast between the crab's bright red shell and the deep blackness of the rocks made them more photogenic...Now, crabs. Check!
I think that about wraps it up.
Oh, wait. One of the most memorable sights I witnessed during my 8 days cruise was that of a lone hammerhead shark swimming by our ship. It was during one of the many lazy times we had, as we were sailing in-between islands. I just happened to be at the deck, looking out, when the hammerhead came close to the surface for a quick stroll. So unique. So amazing. Wow!
Sorry guys. I don't have any pictures to prove my spotting...too absorbed and mesmerized by the whole experience to go below deck for my camera.
Oh, wait. One of the most memorable sights I witnessed during my 8 days cruise was that of a lone hammerhead shark swimming by our ship. It was during one of the many lazy times we had, as we were sailing in-between islands. I just happened to be at the deck, looking out, when the hammerhead came close to the surface for a quick stroll. So unique. So amazing. Wow!
Sorry guys. I don't have any pictures to prove my spotting...too absorbed and mesmerized by the whole experience to go below deck for my camera.
Speaking of sailing in-between islands, we had this pretty long day of pure sailing one afternoon. Boredom prevailed. So it was such a delight when a group of dolphins showed up right alongside our boat and started swimming by our side for a while.
OK. That wraps it up. I'm sure I'm missing someone (like the rays and lava lizards), but I don't really have anything impressive to say about them... I know, lame.
But I do have this interesting photo to end the entry:
(Dead, bloated marine iguana accompanied by an onlooker, if you need to know!)
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