Galapagos Islands Adventure 2009 – Part 2

Upon landing, Hood Mockingbirds –found only on this island– converge upon beach goers in search of fresh water, which is at a premium here. Any fresh water the wildlife may find comes in the form of dew or rain as there is not permanent supply. Visitors are constantly reminded to never give them water as it would not be natural.

On the west side of Espanola is a rocky nature trail which loops from Punta Suarez. Sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs are the first to greet visitors here… along with the ever present Hood Mockingbirds. Blue-footed Boobies display with the male offering his “dance” to his hopeful mate, along with sticks and stones to please her. She replies with grunts and either tosses the gifts aside or places them in her nest, a ring of guano, in acceptance of his advances.

Espanola has the largest breeding colony of Nazca Boobies, endemic to the Galapagos, which have a less elaborate courtship. A relative of the Masked Booby, they were determined to be a distinct species only a few years ago.

Warbler Finches, the smallest of the 13 species of “Darwin’s Finches” are quite common on Espanola. Though a finch, they have a thin, pointed bill like a warbler, which is used to glean insects from vegetation — like a warbler. They are, however, half the size of the Yellow Warbler!

The finches are best separated by bill shape and sometimes bill size. The small-billed finch above is the Small Ground Finch which is found on many of the islands. The Large Cactus Finch, with a grosbeak-like bill, is found only here on Espanola and on Genovesa far to the north. The bills determine what size seed the finches can consume.

This young Galapagos Hawk is learning to use its wings. What an privilege it was to watch him hop up and down as he flapped, in hopes of soon taking flight. I wish we could have witnessed his first aerial journey!

The crown of this island is the Waved Albatross. Considered a Galapagos endemic as more than 90% of the worlds population breed only on Espanola, albatrosses spend nearly all of there life at sea. Coming to land only to breed, the Waved Albatross gets reacquainted with it life-long mate through a dance of waving heads and bill clacking… a swordplay-like dance.

Next… the island of Floreana…