GALAPAGOS 2010: Española (Part 1)

The island of Española offer dramatic volcanic scenery as well as great birds and other wildlife. The south coast offer cliffs and rocky piles against which the waves crash and splash… often with gusto!

A great place to rest, for both people and Nazca Boobies, the cliff above one a several blow holes offers a siesta and a show!

These cliffs also offer a regular breeze which allows the endemic Waved Albatross to land safely and take off with ease. This island is the only one in the archipelago on which these beautiful birds nest.

The albatross chicks might be considered an “ugly duckling”, just fluff and bill. They quickly grow, however, and spend the next few years at sea before returning to Española.

The adult birds offer courtship and pair bonding displays by clacking their bills like a fencing match interspersed with head waving, yawns and bellowing noises!

Galapagos Doves, another endemic species, wander among the nesting birds nearly at our feet.

Another endemic, the Small Ground Finch, flit feverishly from ground to bush and back again in search of the smaller seeds their bills can crack.

The Large Cactus Finch, found only on Española and Genovesa can handle the larger seeds but prefers cactus fruit when available.

One of many highlights is a nesting Galapagos Hawk! She eyed us up as we passed her nest which was built on a rock only 30 feet or so from the trail.