Photo trip to Galapagos

7.12.2007
In Galapagos were first birds Darwin Finches just near the airport. From airport to harbor in little buss and in dock was two Sea Lions lien. Lava Gulls were flying over us, when reaching to our ship Golondrina1. Trip went to Darwin Bay Beach, long sand shore in were we get walk. Sea Lions, Mockingbirds and Boobies were species there.
8.12.2007
In morning we went to Isle Rapida, it was easy landing, low sand shore, although we have to avoid Sea Lions. First Swallow-tailed Gulls were here and we get many photos of them. When birds didn't care about people, was photographing easy. Lot of Red-footed Booby's, but only one white bird, all others were brown ones.
We start our walk to rocks on trail, looking for Large Cactus Finch. I get some photos of it, but we didn't see it anymore in upper part. When we get down, I saw Yellow-crowned Night Heron on rocks and we get many photos of it.
Down, near shore was first Lava Heron, difficult to see in lava rocks, when color was same. First Frigatebirds we saw here too and we photographed a lot of them. Lot of Darwin Fiches, but only identified was that Large Cactus Finch.
In eve we went to Isle Bartolome, climbing up to old volcano's hillside, part of it was lava sand, part of stairs. Only some Lava Lizards we saw there, but nice seem from top of island a round.
Back to boat and move to sand shore. First trough of forest to other side of island was sand shore too. First it looks empty, but soon we notice some Sea Iguanas and craps. We take photos of them, when someone noticed Galapagos Hawk on short three. I get some good flight shot of specie.
In other part of shore was Sea Turtle landing to shore and it was nearly get off from sea, when it get scared of us and back to sea. Walk back to other side of island, some of us went swimming, some leave to shore taking photos. American Oystercatcher was posing to us and we take photos. Back to Golondrina1 and in night time we sail near Isle Genovesa.
9.12.2007
In morning to Isle Genovesa, landing in place called Prince Philip's Steps. Quite a virtuosity to climb up when rock step was two meter over the sea, but boats driver drive up getting help from waves and using engine keep boat there on cliff. First camera back to boat men's, who were waiting on cliff, then hold from he's arm and up to. Lot of Booby's was flying round of us and on shore side was Petrels flying. Walking on trail up to island and there they are, Blue-footed Booby's all around. I have 70-200 lens in camera and it was my lucky. Nearest birds were closer than one meter. We take a lot of photos of these booby's and it was funny to see their dance.
Up to trail and we saw our first one Galapagos Dove's. Trail goes up the island trough of white threes to other side of island. There were high shore rocks and we walk on marked trail. Lot of sea birds was flying and as new specie we saw Red-billed Tropicbird up on sky. As same we saw our first Galapagos Mockingbirds and after that we saw those almost everywhere and ardour to take photos of they wane.
Best thing here was meeting with Frigatebird, it fly closer to me and Harri Kontturi and catch of Harri's camera lens hood. Harri went back and bird comes to my side. I lift my camera up as protection, but then I thought that with that bill it hits to lens. So I lift my finger up and bird catches my finger gently and flies away. Other were shooting so excited whole happening.
Walk back to be same kind, but end of it was difficult. Water was much lower and cliff where we were waiting was two meter's upper. Driver of dinghy lift boat so up that we get there and first group change boat when dinghy went back to get other away. After that back to ship to lunch, photos from camera to computer and some of take little kips. In eve back to same island, now to Darwin Bay. Sand shore, little mangrove, Sea Lions on shore, but biggest ardour to take photos was going. Then back to ship and sail over night to Isle South Plaza.
10.12.2007
Isle South Plaza was sloping, other side was low and in other side was cliff to sea. First Land Iguanas we saw here and on the cliff side a lot of sea birds. Red-billed Tropicbird come so close that I have put 70-200 zoom to 70mm.
Audubon's Shearwater's and Wedge-rumped Storm Petrels was a lot, both of were fast flyers, but some photos of them I get. Same as Small Cactus Finch nicely in flower and only photos of specie I got from here. Trail went from down to up to the cliff, walking on border of cliff we walk to other side of island and back down from there.

In eve we sail to Isle Santa Cruz, town called Puerto Ayora. Walk on town and then to Charles Darwin Research Station. Lot of big turtles was in many places, same as Darwin Finches. In eve some of us went back to town, take some beer, it was cheap, only one dollar of bottle and walk around. In night we went back to ship on taxi boat.
11.12.2007
On next morning back to town and up to mountains, place called Los Gemelos. Rainy day didn't look good, but we found Woodpecker Finch and get some photos of it. It should be good place to see Short-eared Owl, but we didn't see any. From there to El Cato, turtle ranch. We saw lot of Great turtles around, same as Cattle Egrets and Darwin Finches.
In eve to Isle Santa Fe, wet landing there and lot of Sea Lions on shore. The loop trail around the island leads past the salt bushes went to forest of cactus. On shore were young Sea Lions that like to be familiarizing to us. They come very close of us, specially our guide they like a lot. Mockingbirds try to get water from bottles, but they didn't get. End of time went just sitting on rocks and watching animals.
12.12.2007
In morning we sail to Isle Espanola and to Punta Suarez there. At last we saw Waved Albatross here, first lonely young one and later lot of adults. Time went fast when we take photos of flying albatrosses. When waking back to shore we saw two Galapagos Hawk eating dead Sea Lion. Some good photos of those I get.
In eve to Gardner Bay and from there those missing Flamingos and as a new specie we get Hood Mockingbird. On the other side of island was small bay, what first empty looks, but then we saw dead ray in shore. It was rather small, but first that I've ever seen. In other side of bay was Lava Heron sitting nicely. And many good photos of it we get.
13.12.2007
In morning we sail to Isle Floreana, Punta Cormorant. Trail went through island, first on shore side rounding from middle of island back. Adult Magnificent Frigatebird males were flying on island with that red bag under chin. We saw something homely here, Sanderling was walking on sand. Mostly we were looking that adult Magnificent Frigatebird from here and see some of, but when can't leave trail, was photographing difficult, because bushes were in front. Partly there was Sea Iguanas warming.
In eve same island, but place was Post Office Bay. In there we went to post office, where was barrel for post. People but cards in, others take some and mail them. In upper part was pirate cave, which span rather far down. With a help of ladder and rope we go down to bottom of cave. There wasn't anything else than water.
14.12.2007
I morning visit to Isle Seymour where was Blue-footed Booby's and Frigatebirds in two kilometers trail.
In eve we sail to Isle Baltra and flight to Quito via Quadaquil

Photos from trip can be found from gallery