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250 images Created 1 Jun 2017

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  • Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) with Chick in nest<br />
Española or James Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
This is one of the world's rarest raptors with around 800 individuals living around the islands. Although they are commonly seen they are a vulnerable species. TheY scavenge on dead carcasses as well as hunt iguanas, snakes, rats, birds etc.<br />
ENDEMIC<br />
VULNERABLE SPECIES
    1G8199_Galapagos_Hawk_&_Chick.tif
  • Galapagos Hawks (Buteo galapagoensis) Male brought in Lava Lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis) to female on the nest. There is a chick in the nest (unseen) which is why they are bringing food to the nest.<br />
Española or James Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
This is one of the world's rarest raptors with around 800 individuals living around the islands. Although they are commonly seen they are a vulnerable species. TheY scavenge on dead carcasses as well as hunt iguanas, snakes, rats, birds etc.<br />
ENDEMIC<br />
VULNERABLE SPECIES
    1G8210_Galapagos_Hawks_&_Lava_Li...tif
  • Pahoehoe Lava. The Hawaiian name for 'ropy'. This is smooth lava which often forms amazing patterns. It is formed as a result of magma containing a large amount of gas.<br />
Santiago Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America
    1G8075_Pahoehoe_Lava.tif
  • Blue-footed Boobies (Sula nebouxii excisa) in feeding frenzy aggregaton.<br />
Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS,<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
By far the least common of the three booby species in Galapagos but the Blue-footed Boobies are the most commanly seen as their small colonies are spread throughout the archipelago. They nest close to shore on flat areas. The nests are relatively closely spaced, but consist of nothing more than a shallow scrape in the ground. They have less than an annual breeding cycle and different colonies can be found breeding around the archipelago throughout the year. Their courtship antics are entertaining. In trying to attract a mate the male actually dances. If a female is attracted to him she will join him and together they will dance the 'booby two step'. Sexes are differentiated by the eyes. Males appear to have smaller pupils than females. (females have a darkly stained iris giving the impression of a larger pupil) The female is also larger and her voice is distinct - a honk while the male whistles. They are inshore feeders and are able to dive in shallow water. As they feed close to shore it is feasible for the parent birds to return with food sufficient for three chicks so in a good year they may raise up to three.
    1G9406_Blue-footed_Boobies.tif
  • Blue-footed Boobies (Sula nebouxii excisa) in feeding frenzy aggregaton.<br />
Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS,<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
By far the least common of the three booby species in Galapagos but the Blue-footed Boobies are the most commanly seen as their small colonies are spread throughout the archipelago. They nest close to shore on flat areas. The nests are relatively closely spaced, but consist of nothing more than a shallow scrape in the ground. They have less than an annual breeding cycle and different colonies can be found breeding around the archipelago throughout the year. Their courtship antics are entertaining. In trying to attract a mate the male actually dances. If a female is attracted to him she will join him and together they will dance the 'booby two step'. Sexes are differentiated by the eyes. Males appear to have smaller pupils than females. (females have a darkly stained iris giving the impression of a larger pupil) The female is also larger and her voice is distinct - a honk while the male whistles. They are inshore feeders and are able to dive in shallow water. As they feed close to shore it is feasible for the parent birds to return with food sufficient for three chicks so in a good year they may raise up to three.
    1G9606_Blue-footed_Boobies.tif
  • Creole Fish or Gringo (Paranthias colonus)<br />
Central Isles<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
These are the most abundant fish in the entire archipelago.<br />
RANGE & HABITAT: During the day they form huge feeding aggregations in open water above reefs, rocky, boulder strewn slopes and along walls. Juveniles and intermediates stay nearer the bottom.
    2D258_Creole_Fish.tif
  • Streamer Hogfish (Bodianus diplotaenia) or Mexican hogfish<br />
off of Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
RANGE & HABITAT: Abundant entire archipelago. Chile north to Baja including offshore islands. They inhabit rocky reefs, slopes and mixed areas of boulders and sand. Common between 15-65 feet. Juveniles may act as cleaners.
    2D325_Streamer_Hogfish.tif
  • Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)<br />
Off of Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
May be dangerous.<br />
RANGE: Entire archipelago north to Baja including offshore islands.
    2G812_Galapagos_Shark.tif
  • Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)<br />
Off of Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
May be dangerous.<br />
RANGE: Entire archipelago north to Baja including offshore islands.
    2G792_Galapagos_Shark.tif
  • Steel Pompano (Trachinotus stilbe)<br />
Off of Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
Swim rapidly in large schools, preferring current and open water.<br />
RANGE: Entire Archipelago Peru north to Baja
    2G828_Steel_Pompano.tif
  • Rainbow Runner (Elegatis bipinnulata)<br />
Off of Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
They swim rapidly in small polarized groups in open water over deep reefs, along walls and drop offs. Prefer areas with currents.<br />
RANGE: Entire archipelago, North to Baja including offshore islands.
    2G852_Rainbow_Runner.tif
  • Nazca Boobies (formerly Masked booby) (Sula granti)<br />
Wolf Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
They are intermediate between the blue-footed and red-footed booby. They are also plunge-divers but feed further afield than the blue-foots in the inter-island area. They have fewer large colonies but are widespread throughout the archipelago. Sexes are simular and like the blue-foots, nest on the ground. Usually their nests are near cliff edges. Although they lay 2 eggs they only ever raise one chick. The healthier chick pushed the other out of the guano ring - representing the nest. The parents ignore the battle known as 'obligate sibling murder' and leave the chick to its fate.
    2G1771_Nazca_Boobies.tif
  • Red-footed Booby (Sula sula websteri)<br />
Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
They are found in only 5 main colonies in the islands. Always situated on the outer islands, close to deep, oceanic water - their preferred feeding area. Although the most numerous booby in Galapagos (140,000 pairs in Genovesa) the species is not often seen unless an actual coloney is visited. Red-footed boobies are the smallest of the boobies and as they can feed hundred's of miles offshore only manage to bring back enough food to raize one chick. They are the only booby with prehensile feet and nest in trees and bushes rather than on the gound as the Blue-foots and Nazca booby do.
    2G1823_Red-footed_Booby.tif
  • Vampire Finch or Sharp-beaked Ground Finch (Geospiza difficilis) feeding on blood from Nazca Booby. (Sula granti)<br />
Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
On Darwin and Wolf Islands this species has developed the interesting feeding habit of pecking the base of the back feathers until the bird bleeds and drinking the blood. Normally they feed on bird lice but this is probably due to the pausity of food and water on these two islands.
    2G1858_Vampire_Finch_&_Nazca_Boo...tif
  • Vampire Finch or Sharp-beaked Ground Finch (Geospiza difficilis) feeding on blood from Nazca Booby. (Sula granti)<br />
Wolf Island<br />
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
On Darwin and Wolf Islands this species has developed the interesting feeding habit of pecking the base of the back feathers until the bird bleeds and drinking the blood. Normally they feed on bird lice but this is probably due to the pausity of food and water on these two islands.
    2G1846_Vampire_Finch_&_Nazca_Boo...tif
  • Nazca Booby (formerly Masked booby) (Sula granti)<br />
Wolf Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
They are intermediate between the blue-footed and red-footed booby. They are also plunge-divers but feed further afield than the blue-foots in the inter-island area. They have fewer large colonies but are widespread throughout the archipelago. Sexes are simular and like the blue-foots, nest on the ground. Usually their nests are near cliff edges. Although they lay 2 eggs they only ever raise one chick. The healthier chick pushed the other out of the guano ring - representing the nest. The parents ignore the battle known as 'obligate sibling murder' and leave the chick to its fate.
    2G1937_Nazca_Booby.tif
  • Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) on nest with chicks<br />
Isabela Island. Western Isles of Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
These are the largest of the world's 29 cormorant species and the only one that has lost the power of flight. They live very locally to the shores of Isabela and Fernandina Islands and although they can not fly still retain vestigial wings which help them to balance when jumping from rock to rock. As they do not produce much oil to waterproof their wings they must dry out their wings when they return to shore. Nests are constructed of seaweed, flotsam and jetsam and are never more than a few meters from shore. Usually up to 3 eggs are layed.<br />
ENDEMIC TO GALAPAGOS
    3G0702_Flightless_Cormorant_&_Ch...tif
  • Mina de Azufre (Sulphur fulmeroles)<br />
inside crater of Sierra Negrá Volcano (second largest volcanic crater in the world)<br />
Isabela Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America
    14876_Sulphur_Volcano.tif
  • Galapagos Giant Tortoise resting & Lava Lizard<br />
Geochelone elephantophus<br />
Darwin Research Station<br />
Santa Cruz Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America
    15290_Giant_Tortoise.tif
  • Land Iguana reared in the Darwin Station for re-introduction into the wild<br />
Conolophus subcristatus<br />
Santa Cruz Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America
    15355_Land_Iguana.tif
  • White-vented Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma gracilis galapagoensis)<br />
off of Santa Cruz Island<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
RANGE: off of Galapagos Islands but its breeding grounds are unknown
    GDI48_Storm_Petrel.tif
  • Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus grapsus)<br />
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
These crabs are the scavengers of the coast. They feed on anything from sealion placenta to other crustaceans. They play an important role in keeping the shores clear of organic detritus.
    1G1428_Sally_Lightfoot_Crab.tif
  • Marine Iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)<br />
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
ENDEMIC TO THE ISLANDS<br />
These are the only true marine lizards in the world. Although not truely social they are highly gregarious, often spending cool nights in tight clusters. As the sun rizes they can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks to heat up before going into the sea to feed. Their black coloration helps them to absorb the sun's energy and to camourflage on the lava rocks.
    1G1574_Marine_Iguanas.tif
  • Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)<br />
Santiago Island, GALAPAGOS<br />
ECUADOR. South America<br />
RANGE; Alaska, USA to Islands of Venezuela & Galapagos
    1G6966_Great_Blue_Heron.tif
  • Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) with tourists boats in Puerto Ayora Harbour.<br />
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR.  South America<br />
ENDEMIC TO THE ISLANDS<br />
These are the only true marine lizards in the world. Although not truely social they are highly gregarious, often spending cool nights in tight clusters. As the sun rizes they can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks to heat up before going into the sea to feed. Their black coloration helps them to absorb the sun's energy and to camourflage on the lava rocks.
    1G147 Marine Iguana & P. Ayora H...jpg
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