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.
Each day the first port of call (excuse pun) was the tiny pier in the centre of town
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
Always best to buy more than you are likeley to eat as once inside the
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
The final bird to join the list here may well have been
had not fate lent a hand while observing a magical moment of wildlife.
While watching a Whimbrel (presumed Hudsonian) in pursuit of a
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
were nesting!
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
circled the vessel for a full 30 minutes as a 'raft' of
jumped one after the other onto the nearby headland forming a
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!
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!
