As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.
We were lucky to have two tours at Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.
We found a Blue Footed Booby early in our cruise. I was elated as I was hoping to meet one. He seemed to be comfortable perching on that volcanic rock. Over the coming days I didn't lose my enthusiasm for these cute chaps.  |
| Blue Footed Booby |
We were surprised how calm the birds were in our presence, they just calmly watched us from their perches. As I'm not a
twitcher I can't identify these fellows.
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| It was difficult to photograph the many Green Sea Turtles who swam around and under us. |
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| Peepo |
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| Opuntia Galapageia - Local Cactus on the land |
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| Another group making its way back to the mother ship. |
It was more than a week before we returned to Santa Cruz and this time it was for a full day land tour during which we met more of the locals. Our Zodiacs dropped us off at a port on the Island where were transferred to buses for about an hour's drive through the mostly undeveloped countryside.
On arrival in the town we had a long walk to the
Charles Darwin Station. Our first activity was a tour of the Tortoise Path where we saw tortoises in all stages of development.
After a delish lunch and a couple of local beers it was back on the bus en route to our highlight for the day - getting up close and personal with some Giant Tortoises. Our destination was
Rancho El Manzanillo, in a wet and green environment preferred by the giant tortoises.
Before we were allowed to go wandering around the site we had to get kitted out in sterile kneehigh rubber boots. It was then ready, set, go for about an hour. We started off in the company of a guide but, like most of our fellow tourists, we broke off and went exploring. The tortoises were nonchalant, they took no notice of we camera wielding characters invading their territory. They were gracious hosts.
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| Tortoises comfortable in their sea of green |
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| I had to pinch myself as I strolled from tortoise to tortoise |
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| Not bothered at all by his crusty coat. |
One more bus ride, a stop a spooky forest and another zodiac ride took us back to the ship.
This fabulous, full day made a fitting finale to our trip around the Galapagos. I'd return in a heartbeat.
