Animals

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

A male, photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Giant Tortoise territorial fight

The male giant tortoise on the left is biting the shell of the male on the right, in an attempt to chase him off of dominate male’s territory. Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

A male, photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Giant Tortoise eating

This female galapagos giant tortoise if enjoying a piece of fruit. Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Giant Tortoise in pond

This galapagos giant tortoise is submerged in a scum-covered pond, probably as protection against parasites. Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Giant Tortoise and a tree

Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Photographed on the El Chato tortoise reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lion

This sea lion came for the fish and stayed for the tan. Photographed at the fish market in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Female Galapagos Lava Lizard

This lava lizard was seen on a rock wall at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. One of nine species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos islands.

Female Galapagos Lava Lizard

This lava lizard was seen on a rock wall at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. One of nine species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos islands.

Juvenile Giant Tortoise

This juvenile giant tortoise is being raised at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

A Herd of Juvenile Giant Tortoises

This herd of juvenile galapagos giant tortoises is being raised at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Sorry for the picture through a chain link fence.

Española Tortoise - "Diago"

This is Diago, the second most famous giant tortoise in the Galapahos. Diago is from Española Island, but currently lives at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. After successfully breeding, Diago will probably be allowed to go home soon.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Photographed at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Sante Fe Land Iguana

Living at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Sante Fe Land Iguana

Living at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

A Herd of Giant Tortoises

Lounging around at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Hermit Crab

Photographed on the beach at Gardner Bay, Española Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lions jockeying for position

The beach at Gardner Bay on Española Island (in the Galapagos) was packed with female sea lions. When there was a disagreement about who was entitled to a spot of prime sand, displeasure was shown with a display of teeth.

Nursing Sea Lion

This is a picture of a juvenile sea lion nursing at one of his mother’s teats. Another teat is visible blow that one, they are not very prominent. Photographed at Gardner Bay on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lions on Gardner Bay

The beach at Gardner Bay on Española Island in the Galapagos, with sea lions in the foreground.

Marine Iguana

Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Marine Iguana

Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Female Española Lava Lizard

One of nine specials of lava lizards that are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. This española lava lizard was seen on Española Island.

New born sea lion and mother

This newborn sea lion is looking for his first meal. His mother was very patient while the newborn tried to figure out where to get milk. We did not stay around long enough to see the newborn successfully find his mother’s teat. Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

A Mess of Marine Iguanas

Yes, that is the name for a group of these animals. Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Marine Iguana

Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Photographed near Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lion

Photographed at Punta Suárez on Española Island in the Galapagos.

Sally Lightfoot Crabs

Photographed near Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island in the Galapagos.

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Photographed near Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island in the Galapagos.

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Photographed near Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island in the Galapagos.

Young sea lion and mother

A young sea lion looks at us from the protected side of his mother. Taken on the beach at Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal Island in the Galapagos.

Santa Fe Land Iguana

Photographed on Santa Fe Island in the Galapagos.

Santa Fe Land Iguana

Photographed on Sante Fa Island in the Galapagos.

Santa Fe Land Iguana

Photographed on Santa Fe Island in the Galapagos.

Sally Lightfoot Crabs

Photographed on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos.

Santa Fe Land Iguana eating a cactus

Photographed on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos.

Santa Fe Land Iguana eating a cactus

Photographed on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Lava Lizard

This lava lizard was seen on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos, and is a member of the galapagos lava lizard species.

Sea Lion and Cactus

This sea lion sleeps at the foot of this giant prickly pear cactus on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos.

Sante Fe Land Iguanas

Photographed on South Plaza Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lion

A sea lion (not a fur seal as originally documented), spotted on the rocks around Darwin Bay of Genevosa Island in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Fur Seal

These are fur seals, not sea lions. Both species are seen in the Galapagos, although the fur seals were much less common during our trip. These fur seals were spotted on the rocks around Darwin Bay of Genevosa Island in the Galapagos.

Sea Lions on our yacht

While anchored in Sullivan Bay at Santiago Island, we woke up to this pair of sea lions who had made the back the boat their new resting area (and toilet – not shown).