The Galapagos Islands: Today

Vulcan, Ecuador

Blue-Footed Boobie

Pahoehoe

Lava Cactus

Female Lava Lizard

Pinnacle Rock

Land Iguana

Masked Booby

Galapagos Penguin

Red-Footed Booby

Male Frigate Bird

Holey Rock

Brown Pelican

Lava Heron

Yellow- Crowned Night Heron

Swallowed Tail Gull

Finches

Large Tree Finch

Small Tree Finch

Red-Billed Tropic Birds

Vermillion Flycatcher

Galapagos Tortoise

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Marine Iguanas

Sea Lions

Information The islands are located on the equator, and the seasons vary little during the course of the year. The "garua" (or cool, misty part of the year) occurs from May to December and a lightweight jacket may be necessary. The remainder of the year (January through April) is considered the "warm" season and is the wetter of the two seasons. While wildlife is pretty much active all year, certain birds have breeding seasons.

"endemism" in the Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet us as we land on their beach. Curious mockingbirds peck at our shoelaces. From April to November waved albatross perform their wild mating rituals only on Espanola. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in "sky-pointing" while masked boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls and red- billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. Other species endemic to Galapagos and found on Espanola include Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful lightfoot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to the famous "blow hole".