Galapagos 2018 Day Two – San Cristobal Island



This day started with what was billed as a long steep walk.  And, yes it was long, and yes it was steep.  And frankly the walk on the way up did not have much to recommend it.  But at the top – well not only was there a wide ranging view there were blue footed boobys - Plenty of blue footed boobys.

The Blue footed Booby is probably the poster bird for the Galapagos. I mean, blue feet????




Well we were lucky enough to see quite a few of these up at the top and most were in pairs.  
Not only in pairs but doing a mating dance which to me appears to be :

Walk around a bit and show off your feet

-         Spread your wings wide and coo at the sky


-          Hand the lady a stick


Ok - there is probably more to it than that – but not much I think








The feet really are blue, along with the beak.  They are very attractive birds.














Beyond the blue footed boobys we saw a red footed booby on a nest, in a tree, with an egg (visible because we were looking down on it). 
We were quite hi up after all.











We saw a young cormorant, still with a bit of fuzzy down on it.  Pretty cute.

We also, in the distance, saw 3 goats.  This was quite interesting. 

Many, many years ago ships introduced goats to the islands, swapping the goats for tortoises as food.  The goats required to be fed and watered.  The tortoises on the other hand can live up to a year without food or water, making them an ideal food for a ship.  The goats, left to become feral, ultimately competed with the indigenous animals.  Now the park authorities are trying to eradicate the goats.  When the three goats were spotted the naturalist asked if someone could take a photo and send it to him.  Part of his job requires that if he sees goats (or anything not really where it should be) he has to report it.  The goats were interesting too.  Not little white nanny goats – these guys were big and a tawny colour (like a deer)


In the afternoon we did a zodiac ride followed by a beach walk.  Many sea lions again on the beach most snoozing away.  In my next life I think I want to be a sea lion in the Galapagos.



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