Sadly, we’re long gone from the Galapagos. But it’s a place of such unique beauty that visions of the islands keep coming back to us, in our thoughts and conversations. Sometimes even in our dreams.
Especially the sea lions. Those darn critters are so freakin’ cute that you can’t help but fall in love with them. Doesn’t matter if you’re a dog person or a cat person, or if you like hamsters or birds, or if you’re one of those nut jobs who keeps pet spiders and snakes in a terrarium. Sea lions in their wild habitat are going to win your heart.
Galapagos dreaming: it’s a tough life, but somebody’s gotta live it.
This one may have partied a little too hard last night.
This one is waiting for a water taxi. Sea lions are entitled to a 25% discount.
The giant tortoises might not be as cute as the sea lions, but they’re still very popular.
A giant tortoise can live well over a hundred years. If you ask me, they all look that old.
“Yeah, well, bite me. You don’t look so fresh yourself. And I’m going to dance on your grave. OK, I’ll crawl on your grave.”
You might not think iguanas are cute at all, but I’ll bet you can’t resist one that has a lizard hitching a ride.
“I can save you 15% on car insurance.” “That’s great, except I don’t own a car. Now get the fuck off my back.”
Here, some iguanas recreate the famous cover from Abbey Road. Can you tell who’s who? (Hint: Paul is the barefoot one.)
I don’t know to what extent birds can ever really be considered “cute” – at least not compared to dogs and cats and sea lions – but in the Galapagos, many of the bird species are beautiful and unique. The blue-footed boobies are practically an icon of Galapagos tourism.
Nice pair of boobies! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
There are also red-footed boobies. For some reason, they don’t get as much press as their blue-footed cousins.
Tap your heels three times, Dorothy, and repeat after me, “There’s no place like the Galapagos.”
The Nazca boobies are a murderous lot. The female lays two eggs. The first hatchling is nurtured and fed in the usual manner. When the second chick hatches, its older sibling pushes it out of the nest. The mother is indifferent to this villainous act. Neglected and left to the elements, the younger chick perishes. But this form of fratricide is necessary for the species’ survival.
Two eggs, but only one will survive. Redrum! Redrum!
A mother Nazca booby with her two chicks. It’s not looking good for #2.
“Mom always liked you best.”
The flightless cormorant has only vestiges of wings. It has evolved into a skillful swimmer who seeks prey in the water. After each swim, it has to spread its winglets so they can dry.
Flying too high, with some guy in the sky, is my idea of nothing to do.
I can’t leave out the Magnificent Frigate. This large seabird never actually lands in the water, because unlike other seabirds, it doesn’t have an oil-secreting gland to keep its feathers dry. Instead it steals food from other predator birds, including the boobies. The male frigate attracts its mate via an enlarged, inflated bright-red pouch. Feel free to make up your own engorgement sex joke, but please keep it to yourself. This is a family-friendly blog. We don’t want to traumatize the kids with inappropriate dick humor. Oh shit, did I just say “dick”? Fuck, I didn’t mean to.
Hey baby, check out my huge sack.
We conclude this episode with a few more random pics. Dream on.
Will you tell us stories soon in person?
Absolutely beautiful! Just one day, I can see them in person. Glad that you enjoyed your trip. Was there a pub on the island? They need one of those. LOL.
Amazing !! Enjoy every moment ❤️❤️