GALAPAGOS: August 2011 (Part 19)

The most notable endemic on Española is the Waved Albatross. The long-winged seabirds come to land only to nest and raise young. Española is one of only two islands on which they nest, and the other island, off the coast of Ecuador, has but a few pair.

One reason they gather here is the fine fishing to be had. The young need a lot of nearby food! Another good reason to be here is the ‘airport.’ Now, I don’t mean the airport we flew into in our jet, but rather, the perfect conditions for the awkward albatross to be able to easily take flight.

The birds need only waddle, head swaying from side to side, toward the edge of the cliff. Here they open their wings and wait for the perfect breeze to lift them from their perch and carry them over the sea.

These birds mate for life, however, they only see each other when the return to Española to nest, the rest of the year they are solitary creatures, cruising the winds over the sea.

As we sit and absorb the cool breeze, we also enjoy the blow-hole… the wave surge forced through cracks in the volcanic rocks.

While albatross and Red-billed Tropicbirds (above) drift passed…

Sadly it is time to go. The sun is setting and our final day in the islands is complete.

A Galapagos Dove offers a final bow, punctuating the grand performance known as the Galapagos Islands…