Gray Warbler Finch
I am happy to be recovering from the cold from hell, so it’s time for a long-overdue post and luckily I still have pictures left from the Galapagos. Either I am getting old, not getting enough sleep or going through crow withdrawal – likely a combination of all three – but my resistance to these rhino-inconveniences seems to be less strong than usual. I have made it my New Year’s Resolution to go out more often during the work week and Find Crows. Crows will protect me against the ongoing assault to my spirit.
Below, a few pictures of a Blue-Footed Booby flying and diving.
These pictures are likely out of order, but our landing on San Cristobal was dry, meaning we could climb out of the panga onto steps at a dock. Needless to say we avoided the steps where the sea lions were sleeping (see farther below in the post). We then took a bus ride out to our hike.
A glimpse of the rugged lava-rock terrain.
The iguanas on this island are Galapagos Land Iguanas. They don’t swim. They are the color of the beach sand instead of wet rocks.
Below is a San Cristobal Lava Lizard. Found on this island only.
San Cristobal has its own mockingbird species. As far as I could tell, the “mocking” for all the species here applies more to their attitude than mimicry of other birds’ calls…
Galapagos Striated Heron doing its heron thing.
Why can’t all flycatchers be as cooperative as the Galapagos Flycatcher?
Flying over the beach, a Galapagos Hawk.
Galapagos Hawk
I felt very lucky to get a couple pictures of the Dark-Billed Cuckoo. Even here Cuckoos are not gregarious.
Our sought-after finch on San Cristobal was the Woodpecker Finch below.
More pictures of the Woodpecker Finch in action.
After lunch we sailed to Santa Fe island for the Vegetarian Finch.
Vegetarian Finch, Santa Fe Island
Back on San Cristobal, the Gray Warbler Finches are flower piercers and eaters.
The sea lions were everywhere.
The sea lion below left is covered in sand.
I have included a video below for some sea lion action and barking.
Somewhere coming or going we saw Manta Rays close to the surface. Our ship and the dinner sculpture are inset.
As San Cristobal has its own mockingbird, it’s only fair to give it more attention.
San Cristobal Mockingbird
I have a couple more posts to come from the Galapagos. It’s been challenging to spread it out over such a long period of time, but fun too. I never thought I’d say it — I wish I could go back!
There are plenty of places to see Vermilion Flycatchers and they’re probably not the first bird to come to mind when one visits the Galapagos, but did that stop me from taking way too many pictures of this one? Of course not!
Some birds we had seen before, others not.
Below is a video of an interaction between two of these magnificent creatures, which might give you more of an idea.
