And More Galapagos Critters...
Left: Golden rays (Rhinoptera steindachneri) pass close by our panga at Black Turtle Cove near Baltra on Santa Cruz Island.
A white-tipped shark glides by near the island of Bartolome.
In spite of the presence of white-tipped and hammerhead sharks, there have been few reports in the Galapagos of shark attacks on humans.
Many different species of fish crowd the reefs in the Galapagos. The place is a diver's and snorkeler's paradise. (Note: original photo is not sharp.)
Above and left: Sally Lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus) are an ubiquitous presence along shorelines in the Galapagos. Most of the time they have a red coloration, as shown here, but occasionally they are black.
Lava lizards (Tropidurus delanosis) scurry on rocks throughout the Galapagos. Several varieties thrive here. Sometimes they can be found climbing atop the iguanas.
A large manta rays quickly scoots along the bottom. Several varieties of mantas are found in the islands. (Note: original photo is not sharp.)
The carcass of a dolphin, surrounded by blood, decomposes at Irvina Bay.
Feral cats--a big problem in the Galapagos where native animals have few enemies--were feeding on the carcass as we approached.
Tussling like a pair of pre-adolescent boys, these Galapagos fur seals (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) at Puerto Egas on James Island drew no blood during their lively encounter.
Hunted for their fur, this relatively small species of fur seal was almost extinct a hundred years ago but has made a healthy comeback due to stringent protection.
