Española Island
This is not a captive animal, though banded it was. This is the Galápagos hawk, top predator of the archipelago, out for a look-see in the booby colony filled with courting blue-footed and Nazca boobies both. Each gave their variation of the sky-point, though the blue-foots had eggs in many of their nests. In fact, one nest even sported an optimistic three eggs, though what this really portends for the future is hard to calculate, as they are known as “opportunistic” breeders. This means they will give a round of egg-laying a try when the surrounding waters seem to indicate a favourable food supply. What no one knows is how long this supply will last. We wish them luck, and know that the hawks wish success also, as an abundance of booby chicks will mean prosperity for them as well. They could, however, be eyeing the female marine iguanas who are finishing their nests at this time as well. We saw many skinny, dusty females covering their nests; some were even still digging, their copper-oxide blue-green arms and crests dimmed by dirt and hard work. Exhausted, they are vulnerable to persistent hawks, though still very large prey for the hawks, all things considered.
The morning was spent in the turquoise waters of Gardner Bay rolling in the surf with the sea lions, or snorkeling around Turtle Rock where a spotted eagle ray and tropical flounder were the new highlights for some (among many, many other bright fish we were now familiar with). For others, the sighting of white-tipped reef sharks for their first time will forever be the memorable moment.
The sun shone, the water reflected, and the sea lions gleamed as they rolled, bounced and jumped out of the waves. The salty mists of the blowhole made hazy the late afternoon light, and we headed home.
This is not a captive animal, though banded it was. This is the Galápagos hawk, top predator of the archipelago, out for a look-see in the booby colony filled with courting blue-footed and Nazca boobies both. Each gave their variation of the sky-point, though the blue-foots had eggs in many of their nests. In fact, one nest even sported an optimistic three eggs, though what this really portends for the future is hard to calculate, as they are known as “opportunistic” breeders. This means they will give a round of egg-laying a try when the surrounding waters seem to indicate a favourable food supply. What no one knows is how long this supply will last. We wish them luck, and know that the hawks wish success also, as an abundance of booby chicks will mean prosperity for them as well. They could, however, be eyeing the female marine iguanas who are finishing their nests at this time as well. We saw many skinny, dusty females covering their nests; some were even still digging, their copper-oxide blue-green arms and crests dimmed by dirt and hard work. Exhausted, they are vulnerable to persistent hawks, though still very large prey for the hawks, all things considered.
The morning was spent in the turquoise waters of Gardner Bay rolling in the surf with the sea lions, or snorkeling around Turtle Rock where a spotted eagle ray and tropical flounder were the new highlights for some (among many, many other bright fish we were now familiar with). For others, the sighting of white-tipped reef sharks for their first time will forever be the memorable moment.
The sun shone, the water reflected, and the sea lions gleamed as they rolled, bounced and jumped out of the waves. The salty mists of the blowhole made hazy the late afternoon light, and we headed home.
