The Wonderous Galapagos

It's early May but we are not aboard the Molly Claire. We are on the Coral I with 34 other passengers for eight marvelous days in the famed Galapagos Islands.  These stark, volcanic, fascinating, and historic islands are now a protected, Ecuadorian national park located in the Pacific some 700 miles to the west of that country.  We did it all on the islands - walked among the sea lions, swam with the fishes and green sea turtles, observed the amorous blue-footed boobies and the serene nesting albatross, and so much more.  What a unique, fascinating and magical place, well-deserving of its high rank on our bucket list.  Well, you'll see below ...

We traveled with our old and dear friends from graduate school days, 
Jon and Marcia Miller, flying first from Houston to Quito, Ecuador.  
We spent our first day wondering the "Old Town" of this vibrant city 
at the foot of the Andes.

Our home for eight days, the Klein Tours, Coral I.

Our be-hatted fellow passengers at Lake Darwin - almost all of us 
grey-headed and half, those jolly Aussies from down-under.

The Birds

The aptly named, Blue-footed Booby

I spent a mesmerizing hour watching this amorous pair.

Serene, nesting Waved Albatross

Graceful Waved Albatross, aloft

Greater Frigatebirds, hitchhiking on the Coral I

Frigatebirds bright red gular sac...or the waddle to end all waddles

The Galapagos Penguin

Roosting Brown Pelican

Elegant Galapagos Flamingos

Galapagos Hawk

Tiny Galapagos Flycatcher

Galapagos Striated Heron

Yellow Finch

The Flightless, and you can see why, Cormorant

And finally, one of Darwin's Finches

Also sighted - the rare orange-footed booby

The Sea Lions

California Sea Lion colony, Gardener Bay, Isla Espanolia

Coming ashore, a wet landing amongst the sea lions

Ross and somewhat disinterested friends

Sea lion togetherness

 

Mammals sunbathing, Gardiner Bay

 The Marine Iguanas

Galapagos Marine Iguana colony, Isla Fernandina

Posing with more Galapagos "friends"

 

The Iconic Giant Galapagos Tortoises

Baby tortoises at the Darwin Research Center, Isla Santa Cruz

Massive adult at the Darwin Research Center

...and in the highlands on Isla Santa Cruz

Some Other Creatures

Galapagos Land Iguana

Green Sea Turtle

Lava Lizard

Painted Locust

...and the most delightfully named Galapagos creature, the Sally Lightfoot crab

 

The Volcanic Galapagos Islands

Dormant volcano on Isla Isabella

Isla Daphne

Isla Bartolome and Pinnacle Rock

Lava, lava, and more lava, Isla Fernandina

...and on Isla Santiago

Some Pretty Pictures

Off  Suraz Point, Isla Espanolia

Landing, Espinoza Point, Isla Fernandina

Coral I and II anchored off Bartolome

Humans in their "panga"; Pelicans on their rocks

M

Relaxing aboard the Coral I

At the Equator, Quito, Ecuador