Pacific Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas agassi)
During our incredible trip to the Galapagos Islands in December 2003, we often encountered these gentle giants of the deep. Sometimes we saw them in shallow lagoons, where they would dawdle on the bottom, swim lazily to the surface for a gulp of air, or ponderously flail the water in a mating dance.
The best encounters happened while we were snorkeling. Underwater, the turtles---sometimes approaching five feet in length--were in their graceful element, and often soared past the ungainly humans flopping around on the surface.
This turtle explores shallow water in a mangrove area at Punta Moreno, Isabela Island.
Above: A turtle grazes peacefully on a reef, seemingly oblivious to the camera (note: original image is not sharp). Right: A turtle saunters in shallow water. Below: Resembling bulldozer tracks, this path leads to a turtle nest on Floriana Island in the Galapagos Islands.
A turtle demonstrates its aerial ballet near Bartolome Island.
Above and left: Snorkelers swim with turtles at Puerto Egas on James (Santiago) Island.
Cozy sea turtles convene in an early -morning rendezvous near Baltra on Santa Cruz Island.
