
GALAPAGOS: August 2011 (Part 16)
Sep 5, 2011 | by Kevin Loughlin
The island of Floreana is ever-changing. Each trip I see these wonderful variations and never know what to expect next! On this tour the hyper-saline pool had but one distant flamingo. However, the beautiful patterns in the drying mud offered great photo opportunities!
Often the water’s edge comes to the end of the trail… this time it was a distance from the trail. But don’t be fooled, it certainly was not dry!
This Semipalmated Plover was ‘ankle’ deep in the gooey substance.
As was this tiny Least Sandpiper! Its yellow legs and bill were turning pink as it probed the mud.
The sole Greater (Caribbean) Flamingo took flight with a splash, circled once, then landed closer to bask in the setting sun.
As we walked the trail back to the beach, the low angle of the light offered long shadows in the golden rays.
We startled a juvenile Striated Heron as it search for an evening roost. He cooperated for a photo shoot before settling and we moved on…
Approaching the beach we again passed the bunches of Floreana Daisies, also called Cut-leaf Daisy. Endemic to the Galapagos, this plant is found only on two islands. Each is considered an endemic to their respective islands of Floreana and San Cristóbal.
A beautiful end to another wonderful day…