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.
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
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 Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
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
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
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
).
. 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.