Galapagos Islands June 16 2016

June 17, 2016 at 2:45 AM

Santa Fe Island and Turtle Cove Mangroves  - Blog Entry June 16th, 2016

Shortly after 6:30 a.m. our zodiacs arrived on the beach of Santa Fe for our first early morning photo shoot. The breeze was cool and another welcoming committee of Sea Lions were waiting along the shore line. The soft morning light made for great photography and there plenty of small birds out to greet the morning light, and our group of photographers.

This mornings hike and photo shoot took us up along the higher rocks where we were able to photograph a few land iguanas, finches and a few juvenile Galapagos Hawks keeping a close eye on the island morning activities. Later in the morning we enjoyed some deep water snorkeling and photography along the shore line. This afternoon and for sunset we sailed around the island and took the zodiacs into the lush mangroves. Sea turtles, rays, pelicans, and herons offered up many photo opportunities. Overnight we will sail to the island of Santiago. Enjoy the photos from todays trek.

Here’s a map showing our first overnight sailing.

GAL616-48.jpg

Sea lion welcoming us to the island of Santa Fe.

GAL616-49.jpg

Photographing some of the shore birds as we headed into the island.

GAL616-50.jpg

Not everyone was awake to greet us!

GAL616-51.jpg 

Time to get cleaned up!

GAL616-52.jpg 

The Galapagos is a nature reserve and everything is a it lives and dies.

GAL616-53.jpg

Some curious young pups playing along the beach.

GAL616-54.jpg 

And more playing in the water, it was great to see them up close and them without any fear of the photographers visiting their island.

GAL616-55.jpg

Our zodiac heading back to the ship, morning light.

GAL616-56.jpg 

The entire Galapagos Islands are a National Park and they limit the amount of ships that arrive at any one island. We were in around 6:30 in the morning, they did not come land until 9:00 a.m. so we had the island to ourselves.

GAL616-57.jpg

This yellow finch was hopping along the beach, searching for small bugs.

GAL616-58.jpg

Mocking bird looking for breakfast.

GAL616-59.jpg

Brian found you had to watch your step as you walk along the trails.

GAL616-60.jpg

This land iguana was warming up with the first rays of sunlight.

GAL616-61.jpg

Andrew taking a few shots of this land iguana.

GAL616-62.jpg

Lava lizard, catching the morning sun.

GAL616-63.jpg

Neal, Konrad, Charlene, Andrew, Laura, Dave and Bryan walking along the shore trail.

GAL616-64.jpg

An HDR B&W of the shoreline, our ship in the background.

GAL616-65.jpg

An interesting row of cactus.

GAL616-66.jpg

Another land iguana basking in the morning sun.

GAL616-67.jpg 

A Yellow Warbler with a very curious look.

GAL616-68.jpg

He was happy to pose for another shot.

GAL616-69.jpg

Another curious onlooker ....

GAL616-70.jpg 

The trail took us inland and towards the hawks.

GAL616-71.jpg 

Galapagos Hawk looking for breakfast.

GAL616-72.jpg

I’m ready for my close-up.

GAL616-73.jpg

It was great to be able to approach these beautiful birds.

GAL616-74.jpg 

One more shot of the Galapagos Hawk.

GAL616-75.jpg 

Our naturalist guide Renny, who also loves photography!

GAL616-76.jpg

The early morning light made for some great shots.

GAL616-77.jpg

An HDR B&W of the other ship that was anchored off shore this morning.

GAL616-78.jpg 

Brian ready to head out for some deep water snorkeling.

 GAL616-79.jpg

Sally light-footed crab.

GAL616-80.jpg

This guy did not like my jokes, possibly too early in the morning?

GAL616-81.jpg

Andrew snorkeling.

GAL616-82.jpg

Morning snacks back on board after snorkeling.

GAL616-83.jpg 

Dave checking his shots from our morning shoot.

GAL616-84.jpg

Laura checking er um taking selfies??

GAL616-85.jpg

A tropical bird.

GAL616-86.jpg

Heading into the mangrove cove.

GAL616-87.jpg

A pelican doing some evening fishing.

GAL616-88.jpg

A green heron looking for a fish dinner.

GAL616-89.jpg

It was high tide, so it was a little tight coming through the groves. Brian duck!

GAL616-90.jpg

Here’s a shot from same time last year, same place, but at low tide. There is 8ft difference when the tide is out.

GAL616-90a.jpg

You have to be quick when the turtles poke their heads up.

GAL616-91.jpg

Brian, Renny, Paul, Bob in the foreground looking for the turtles to pop up.

GAL616-92.jpg 

Beautiful reflections.

GAL616-93.jpg

Another turtle taking a quick look around.

GAL616-94.jpg 

Another heron basking in the setting sun.

GAL616-95.jpg 

A spotted ray swims past.

GAL616-96.jpg 

A heron high in the mangroves as the sun starts to set.

GAL616-97.jpg

As a few pelicans fly closer this guys gets his feathers ruffled.

GAL616-98.jpg

Another heron as the sun starts to set, a beautiful evening.

GAL616-99.jpg

A pelican fly past.

GAL616-100.jpg

Coming in for a landing.

GAL616-101.jpg

A pelican looking for supper.

GAL616-102.jpg

Another pelican fly past!

GAL616-103.jpg 

Amazing big birds in flight.

GAL616-104.jpg

Back onboard during our evening briefing.

GAL616-105.jpg

The entire group meets each night before dinner to learn about the next days activities.

GAL616-106.jpg

Ernesto prepares the drinks for the Captain’s welcome.

GAL616-107.jpg

Laura and Melanie a toast to a fun week of adventure.

GAL616-108.jpg

Bryan, Charlene and Laura, cheers.

GAL616-109.jpg

Best wishes for a great week. Our group of 15 is spoiled by a crew of 10. 

GAL616-110.jpg

One last shot of the rest of our friendly crew.

GAL616-111.jpg

That’s it for this evenings photos, more tomorrow. We sail overnight to the island of Santiago. Good night from the Galapagos.

 



Tags:
Category:

Please add a comment

Posted by Nancy McRae on
Such great memories of such a magical place.....enjoy the journey everyone! Hey Brian ~
Posted by Brian on
Hi Nancy.
Great trip but my photo beside a giant tortoise, on the last day, wasn't as good as your photo from last year.
Posted by Erika Wilson on
Great pics. So happy to see Mel there Judy you look like you are having a wonderful time
Posted by Coeprottgot on
asd
Posted by pioleacle on
http://www.modellismogianni.it/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=54052#54052
Posted by Lychiaffimict on
http://forum24news.ovh/index.php?topic=19
Posted by Lychiaffimict on
http://24forum.xyz/index.php?topic=28
Posted by Richardnug on
bebwx1
http://azdiwt23.weebly.com http://blogs.rediff.com/zidarekq46
Related Site
Posted by TylerVus on
The easiest way to start earning bitcoins? Just change your browser on CryptoTab and get income in Bitcoins every 10 minutes to your account for using it to surf the Internet or just keep your browser window open. It takes less than a minute to install, download and start earning - http://bit.ly/2Gfe57I
Posted by surlefoff on
Byiszf After lobectomy the remaining lung increases in size to ll the space in the thoracic cavity. [url=https://bestadalafil.com/]cialis generic tadalafil[/url] Noornf generic cialis no prescription https://bestadalafil.com/ - Cialis Fwskwx
Leave a Reply



(Your email will not be publicly displayed.)


Captcha Code

Click the image to see another captcha.