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Archive 2012 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas

  
 
Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


A unique rarity in the world, Galapagos marine iguanas feed exclusively on the moss-like plants that grow on rocks below the ocean's surface. Because they are cold-blooded reptiles and the ocean where they feed tends to be very cold- they can feed for only 20 minutes or so at a time. Then they must haul out and warm up on the lava rocks.
Normally these 3 to 4-foot-long critters are darkly colored (as in the last image here). But horny adult males can be quite beautiful (well- to the females, perhaps ).
As you can see, they also have no fear of people and, like being near land iguanas, one must be careful where one steps.



Apr 10, 2012 at 10:27 AM
penpro
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


The third is a really nice shot. I would love to get there one day.


Apr 10, 2012 at 10:52 AM
eyelaser
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Marine iguanas are not the prettiest of your Galapagos critters despite your photographic skills which make them as attractive as possible...I am much more attracted to boobies.
Eric



Apr 10, 2012 at 11:39 AM
redmule
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Nice shots Charlie! hmmm like Eric... I like boobies too!
Kevin



Apr 10, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Conrad Tan
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


So darn cool


Apr 10, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Thank you gents.
If it weren't for iguanas, a major portion of the Japanese film industry would never have made all those dozens of completely believable science-fiction movies .
Eric- I almost posted an additional (real) booby pic for you- but I didn't want to upset the booby police . So imagine a positively perfect pair- not manufactured by the plastics industry- with the light and shadows just right- and the temperature just cold enough..... ah.
Charlie



Apr 10, 2012 at 02:48 PM
anthony whitmo
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas



Dang that lizzard has the WOrSt case of "The Crabs" EVER!!!!!!

I'm with Eric I like Boobies but have not seen any in a long time....... Married ya know

Conrad prefers to see big pythons if you can post something along those lines as well



OK OK I really like the crab / lizard shot. it's kind of kewl how the colors of red/orange match well.

Ant



Apr 10, 2012 at 03:30 PM
CDaescher
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Charlie, another nice set and interesting read from this intriguing place.
Chris



Apr 10, 2012 at 05:03 PM
Thomas Sanders
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Love the vivid color Charlie (god bless film ) and killer opening frame in this great series

Tom



Apr 10, 2012 at 05:50 PM
kmunroe
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


another lovely set Charlie


Apr 10, 2012 at 06:32 PM
big country
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


you get any shots of them blowing salt from their nose?

also how close were you allowed to get?



Apr 10, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Thanks Ant, Chris, Tom, Ken and BC.
Good point about the salt blowing. Because they feed in sea water, the marine iguanas ingest/breath in (?) too much salt. They get rid of it on land by periodically "blowing their noses." It's fun to watch the twin sprays shooting out their nostrils, but it takes time and patience to photograph it. Although our tour was never rushed, I felt there were better things for me to do than wait 10 or 15 minutes for what may or may not be a good photo. So-alas- I have no pics (except in my memory ).
I was in the Galapagos about 30 years ago, and the only restrictions were: 1- don't touch any of the animals and 2- don't get so close that you affect their behavior. Our group of eight travelers all complied with no complaints, and our Ecuadorian guide knew he could trust us, so he didn't regiment us at all.
Once, I was sitting on a rock watching a baby sea lion that was waiting for his momma to return from fishing. The tiny tyke shuffled over to me and would have sniffed my leg, but I moved so that he couldn't. No big deal- I understood (and agreed with) the thinking behind such regulations.
Charlie



Apr 10, 2012 at 07:29 PM
KCollett
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Good stuff Charlie, and interesting commentary.


Apr 10, 2012 at 07:38 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Don't stop now Charlie ~ Ron


Apr 10, 2012 at 07:42 PM
Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


surfnron wrote:
Don't stop now Charlie ~ Ron


Thanks Ken and Ron.
I have more Galapagos slides, Ron- but they're still in the closet- unscanned. There are a few more days before I'm completely out of this bunch, then I'll have to take break before I can get the others out of the closet .
Charlie



Apr 10, 2012 at 10:24 PM
big country
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Charlie,

Thanks for the reply.

I heard all of the tortoises that you see in photos are actually captives.

Did you see any tortoises that were wild (allowed to roam the island freely)?

jason






Apr 11, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Tim Kuhn
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Great shots of these primitive guys Charlie. It must be surreal for a main lander to see these mini dinos on the lava rocks. TFS


Tim



Apr 11, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


Thanks Jason and Tim.
Tim- Well, it was surreal for me to see them, but then- so much of the Galapagos IS surreal that it came as no surprise. When I visited, Ecuador was an extremely poor country as far as the average persons' lives. Really poor people don't hop on airplanes and fly 500 miles to observe the wonders of nature, so I doubt that many Ecuadorians ever got to the islands.
About the "wild or captive" tortoises, I'll elaborate on that in a couple of days when I post some images of them. For now, Jason, I'll just mention that (for valid reasons) there is a colony of Galapagos land tortoises in captivity. But there are also large numbers of them in the wild.
Charlie



Apr 11, 2012 at 09:19 PM
dorian
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


number 3 is a great shot of a lizard that looks less than thrilled that you are taking his picture!


Apr 11, 2012 at 09:23 PM
morris
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Galapagos- #8 Marine iguanas


the 3rd is my pick Charlie

Morris



Apr 11, 2012 at 09:33 PM
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