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Galapagos Islands Tour Nov 7th, 2016
November 08, 2016 at 1:47 AM
November 7th, 2016 - Rabida and and the giant iguanas of Dragon Hill
After our overnight sailing we have arrived at the small island of Rabida. The pristine red sand beach made for a great early morning backdrop for our photography. The interesting activity on the beach this morning was 9 or 10 large pelicans fishing for small fish of the rocks that protect the beach area. It was endless the amount of short flights and dives into the ocean for a beak full of fish. The brown noddy turns were close by to catch any small fish that got away, sometimes they were even sitting on the pelicans backs waiting for the catch of the day.
We hiked the upper trail through a forest of cactus to the upper cliffs overlooking the bay on the other side of the island. The cool early morning air made it a very comfortable hike. We also came across many small birds such as small finches and fly catchers.
After a mid morning snorkeling opportunity and zodiac ride up the coast we sailed to our second location for today Dragon Hill. Our hike into the highlands were in search of the large land iguanas. The ground cover is very dry so it made it very easy to find the large land iguanas. It was interesting to learn that this region only sees 15 days of rain a year.
This evening we will set sail for the port on Santa Cruz to visit the Darwin Research Centre then after lunch we will take a motor coach into the highlands to see the giant tortoise. Enjoy todays selection of images.
The map shows our overnight sailing from Sullivan Bay #5 to Rabida Island.
First image is our official group shot overlooking the red sand beach and our ship the Queen of the Galapagos in the background.
This is the red sand beach of Rabida, the red sand is oxidized volcanic sand.
Pelicans everyone this morning.
Flying so close they made for great subjects.
Diving for small fish, caught this pelican just before it went in ...
A fly catcher on the mangroves, these guys move so quickly they are hard to photograph.
A baby finch
A yellow finch
Lovers on the beach.
This is a white tipped shark swimming close to the beach.
More busy pelicans.
Getting ready to dive into the ocean.
Fran and Ron relaxing in the shade after our hike.
The red trail we hiked along the coast.
Lorne, Carol and Bonnie stopping for a shot on the high cliffs of the island.
Marine iguanas catching the morning sun.
Our afternoon landing on the beach at Dragon Hill.
James and Omar chatting about the location ... Or are they lost??
Photographing the marine iguanas, Ray in the foreground.
Flowering cactus just off the beach.
Kathy, Mona, Ray and Lorne what could they be photographing?
A posing marine iguana.
Slow moving traffic.
Up close!
This yellow finch was looking for food amongst the ground cover.
Reflections from this stilted.
More marine iguanas and we leave the beach and head inland.
An HDR B&W of the salt water lagoon.
Dragon hill with a touch of colour.
Another landscape shot.
A panoramic of the salt lagoon, assembled from 12 images.
More flowering cactus.
Our first land iguana along the trail. He was not going anywhere fast. Notice the feet.
Another finch.
The salt water lagoon as the sun started to set.
The setting sun as we left the beach.
Heading back to our ship.
The distant island has taken on a red glow with sunset.
Map showing our night sailing as we head to the port on Santa Cruz.
That’s a wrap on todays adventure here in the Galapagos. More photos and stories tomorrow. Good night from the islands.