Punta Pitt, a volcanic rock formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds, is visited aboard motorized Zodiacs.
Punta Pitt, a volcanic rock formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds, is visited aboard motorized Zodiacs. In the background is Kicker Rock.
Punta Pitt, a volcanic rock formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds, is visited aboard motorized Zodiacs.
Kicker Rock off San Cristobal at sunset:
Kicker Rock, located off the island of San Cristobal, is a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean, providing a dramatic backdrop at sunset.
Sea lion
A contented sea lion pup with its nursing mother.
Sally Lightfoot crabs on the rocks at Espanola
Sally Lightfoot crab:
Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs, aptly named for their quick movements, provide a dramatic contrast to the black lava rocks.
Sally Lightfoot crab:
Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs provide a stark contrast to the black lava rock where they are often found near the shoreline.
Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs, aptly named for their quick movements, provide a dramatic contrast to the black lava rocks.
Sally Lightfoot crab:
Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs, aptly named for their quick movements, provide a dramatic contrast to the black lava rocks.
Land iguana on South Plaza islet, Santa Cruz:
The Galápagos land iguana, with its bright yellow skin, can be found feeding on cactus leaves and other plant life.
Slow-moving Galapagos tortoises are found in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
The Galápagos tortoise can weigh more than 500 pounds and live well past 100 years.
The Galápagos tortoise can weigh more than 500 pounds and live well past 100 years.
The Galápagos tortoise can weigh more than 500 pounds and live well past 100 years.
Sea lion at Gardner Bay
Sea lion at Gardner Bay
Sea lions live peacefully in large colonies throughout the islands of the Galapagos.
This beautiful white sand beach at Gardner Bay on the island of Espanola is home to a large colony of sea lions. They seem oblivious to the human visitors walking among them.
Marine iguana on Espanola:
Marine iguanas in the Galápagos are the only sea-going lizards in the world. They live on land and enter the water to feed on seaweed and algae.
Marine iguana on Española:
Marine iguanas in the Galápagos are the only sea-going lizards in the world. They live on land and enter the water to feed on seaweed and algae.
Nazca booby on Española:
Nazca booby birds, largest of the three types of booby birds found in the Galapagos, are easily identified by their black tails and face markings.
Waved albatrosses engaged in bill fencing, part of their complex mating ritual.
Waved albatrosses breed only on Espanola island.
On Espanola Island, waved albatrosses engage in a complex mating ritual, which includes clacking their bills together like fencers in a love match.
Sea lion pups on Espanola await their mother's return from the sea.
A newborn sea lion pup bonds with his mother on the island of Espanola.
A newborn sea lion pup bonds with his mother on the island of Espanola.
Ecoventura's Flamingo I yacht, carrying a maximum of 20 passengers, is one of three identical yachts departing weekly from San Cristobal. Two 7-night itineraries are offered, visiting 12 sites on six islands.
Blue-footed booby birds, often seen perched on the lava rocks, are pictured with the Ecoventura yacht in the background.
Blue-footed booby birds are most common among the three booby bird species in the Galapagos. Others include the Nazca booby and less common red-footed booby.
Blue-footed booby bird:
Its apparent fearlessness of humans allows us a close encounter with the blue-footed booby bird.
Bartolome/Pinnacle Rock:
A view from the summit of a once-active volcano on Bartolome island. The barren landscape on Bartolome Island was once described by astronaut Buzz Aldrin as more like the moon than any place on Earth. We later snorkeled around Pinnacle Rock, the eroded tuff cone formation that punctuates our panoramic view.