Island in the Sun - Harry Belafonte

With very little of note in our own locale today it was inspiration from one of my favourite places on the face of planet earth and 2 of my favourite people. On their first visit to Galapagos avid world wanderers Jean Francois and Roong Ozoux sent me these images of a 

Woodpecker Finch 

one of the Darwin Finch complex which played a key part in his proving the Science of Evolution. Lucky to have seen the species myself, my images come nowhere close to portraying one of very few birds to use a ‘tool’ to capture their prey.

 CHARLES DARWIN

To compliment these, a few of my own Island Snaps are posted today to be followed by a brief account of my first meeting with these ‘beautiful people’ at a later date! The first trip was a great success and quite an eye opener but of just one week duration far, far too short. The return in 2010 was twice the number of days and a solo venture having left MyQue's, my former boss, to his own devices. Both trips were as freelance travellers with no complications and at less than half the price of an organised tour which may be of some help to the reader. 

As is usual we landed on an old US Airbase on the island of

Baltra

and obtaining a mandatory 15 dollar permit allowing access to the

 which is the whole of the archipeligo.

 Taking the $1 US bus ride to the ferry, being swarmed by

AUDUBON'S SHEARWATERS

before a second and longer bus ride before reaching the main town  of

Once there it was check-in to the same hotel as last time, The Castro,

dumping the backpack then treading familiar territory.

 GALAPAGOS (LAVA) HERON

 GALAPAGOS DOVE

GALAPAGOS LAND IGUANA

Each day the first port of call (excuse pun) was the tiny pier in the centre of town

at the end of which stood one of the

Pleasure Boat Captains
It was certain there was mutual respect here, despite the language barrier
but seemingly, like myself, a firm handshake seemed to say all!

LAVA GULL

 GREAT FRIGATEBIRD

LARGE GROUND FINCH

MOI

MEDIUM CACTUS FINCH

Back to town where there is but one Main Drag and where stands the

FISH MARKET

 where you can buy 7 Crayfish for less than £2.00..
Always best to buy more than you are likeley to eat as once inside the

TINY CAFE

to the left, where they will cook them for you, you never know who you may bump into to share the feast!
The final bird to join the list here may well have been

 SMALL GROUND FINCH
had not fate lent a hand while observing a magical moment of wildlife.
While watching a Whimbrel (presumed Hudsonian) in pursuit of a

 SALLY LIGHTFOOT CRAB
which had sought shelter under a rock with pure stealth the bird caught it,
first shook off the clump claw, followed by the secondary and legs before swallowing the
hapless creature whole. Comparing windpipe with shell size it seemed impossible
but down it went without a struggle and just as my new found friend arrived.

With broken English and gesticulation he seemed to be inviting me out in his Cruiser for the day, which was confirmed by his paying passengers 2 young Finnish couples who were intent on swimming with the Sealions. Through them, he also said he had very much enjoyed my company and the fact that we were both Seafarers made it that little bit more special. Looking at the chart, we seemed bound for a tiny unnamed island some 20 miles away and with the anchor dropped he caught some fish and served then for breakfast. There were no expectations as to what we might see, in fact anything would be a bonus, but first off in the caves and crags

 SWALLOW-TAILED GULL'S
were nesting!

juvenile

While they do visit the shores of Ecuador this is a rare sight and like the first trip my hopes of such a beauty had already faded - YES!

Additionally during the day, a lone

 GALAPAGOS HAWK
circled the vessel for a full 30 minutes as a 'raft' of

 GALAPAGOS PENGUINS
jumped one after the other onto the nearby headland forming a

WADDLE

There are no prizes for guessing where the Captain and I ended up that evening
but for a little respect and firm handshake there was a new shipmate and 3 new and most unexpected Bird species added to the World List!