Red footed booby. Galapagos. AERoss
Galapagos Photos
by  Dr. Anna E. Ross
Associate Professor of Biology, Christian Brothers University
650 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
Blue footed booby. Galapagos. AERoss
Not from the Galapagos! Indigo bunting, male. Clemson, SC. AERoss
Office: (901) 321-3436   email: aross@cbu.edu
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Waved albatross. Galapagos. AERoss
"The natural history of these islands is eminently curious,
and well deserves attention."
-- Charles Darwin, from Voyage of the Beagle, 1845
I visited the Galapagos 24 Nov.-1 Dec. 1980 when I was still a graduate student.  The group included an assortment of geologists and biologists.  The scientific leaders on the trip were Dr. Ernst Mayr (the evolutionary biologist), Dr. Thomas Simkin (Volcanologist, Smithsonian), and Dr. Minard Hall (Volcanologist, Director of the Geophysical Institute, Ecuador). 
 
Shortcuts to Animal Photos on this Page
  • Albatross
  • Booby, Blue-footed
  • Booby, Masked
  • Booby, Red-footed
  • Cormorant, Flightless
  • Crab, Sally Lightfoot
  • Darwin's Finches
    		•
  • Dove, Galapagos
  • Flamingo
  • (More Flamingoes)
  • Flycatcher, Vermilion
  • Frigatebird
  • Gull, Lava
  • Gull, Swallow-tailed
    		•
  • Hawk, Galapagos
  • Heron, Lava
  • Iguana, land
  • Iguana, marine
  • Lava Lizard
  • Mockingbird
  •  Oystercatchers
    		•
  • Pelican
  • Penguin
  • Sea Lion
  • More Sea Lions
  • Tortoise, Giant
  • Tropicbird, Red-billed
  • Yellow Warbler
    		•
    Click on an image to see a larger view.

    Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.  ~13 major and 8 small islands, 0-1 degree latitude, ~600 miles west of South America.  Map

    The islands formed from submarine volcanic activity along a broad, shallow platform near the crest of the East Pacific Rise.

    Baltra is among the oldest islands and was formed from uplifted submarine basaltic flow.  This was my first view of the islands.
    The Galapagos Islands formed by volcanic activity from the movement of tectonic plates.  The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador.  Each island has a British (English) name and an Ecuadorian (Spanish) name.  The climate is unusual because of the cold Humbolt current to the West and warm El Nino current on the East. 

    Baltra.  Much of the endemic wildlife was eradicated by bored troops who visited during WWII.

    James (Santiago) reveals a complex geology of old and new lava flows (see below)

    Bartolome (small island near James).  Fresh lava, spatter cones, and vegetation (Croton).
    Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos from Sept. 15th to Oct 20th in 1835 (at the age of 26).  Darwin visited Chatham (San Cristobal), Charles (Floreana), sailed around SW Albemarle (Isabella), and spent a week on James (Santiago).  Many of the specimens he brought back were collected by others and location data is unreliable for many of these.

    Bartolome.  The opening of a lava tube (~3 feet in diameter.)

    Bartolome.  Spatter cone.

    Bartolome.  Tuff cone. 
    (The near one is ~4 feet tall.)
    The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's largest and most active groups of oceanic volcanoes.  The entire system is geologically young.  The oldest islands, such as Hood (Espanola), Barrington (Santa Fe), Santa Cruz, and Baltra, were formed of uplifted submarine lava of the Pleistocene (5 million years and older).  Additionally there are three groups of recent volcanoes (1 million years and younger).    The location of individual volcanos was controlled by two major fracture systems.

    James (Santiago).  Great Frigatebird in flight (white band on wings distinguishes it from magnificent)

    James.  Sally lightfoot crab, Grapsus grapsus.  The lush seaweed is also food for marine iguanas.

    James.  Steep cliffs.  James' complex geologic history gives it the greatest variety of rock types.

    James (Santiago).  Lava

    James.  Point with guano and cactus (Opuntia tree form)

    James.  Layers of lava

    James.  Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber, courtship display 

    James.  Dr. Erst Mayr making careful observations of the flamingoes (a subspecies of West Indies flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber)

    James.  A darker, endemic race of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) is resident.  Palo Santo tree, endemic.
    The opportunity to visit the Galapagos in a group with Dr. Mayr was not to be missed.  This was Dr. Mayr's first trip to the Galapagos.  [At the time, I was a graduate student at Clemson University and one of my major professors was Dr. Carl Helms who had been a student of Dr. Mayr.]

    James (Santiago).  Higher elevation

    James. Yellow flower (endemic Cordia lutea, ID thanks to J. Godfrey)

    James.  Fur seal (endemic, Arctocephalus galapagoensis), marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus), sally lightfoot crabs, on lava.

    Isabela.  Adult Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis urinator, an endemic subspecies)

    Isabela.  Brown Pelican.  Unperturbed as the rubber dinghy approached, but it finally lumbered away.

    James.  Lava Heron (Galapagos heron, Butorides sundevalli, endemic, status debated, formerly Ardeola
    striata)

    James.  Lava heron.

    James. Lava heron lunging for a meal.

    Santa Cruz, Darwin Station.
    Map of tortoise distribution.

    Santa Cruz.  Galapagos giant tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus, in a cow pasture.  Subspecies with domed carapace evolved on islands with lush vegetation.

    Santa Cruz, Darwin Station. Captive G. e. hoodensis about 1 yr. old.

    Santa Cruz,  Darwin station. Captive tortoise in the breeding program.  This one is eating cactus, Opuntia.

    Santa Cruz, Darwin Station.
    Arid Zone vegetation including deciduous palo santo trees, Bursera

    Santa Cruz, Darwin Station.
    Arid Zone vegetation including palo santo trees, Bursera, and tree cactus, Opuntia (see next 2 photos).

    Tree cactus, Opuntia, with Dave Stedman, Alma Ross, and Jim Ross.
    Santa Cruz, Darwin Station.
    Map of vegetation zones.
    Santa Cruz highlands.  Scalesia forest (evergreen Scalesia pedunculata) with endemic pega-pega trees (Pisonia floribunda)

    Santa Cruz highlands. Epiphytes include bomeliads and orchids.
    Santa Cruz highlands. View into a huge caldera.
    Santa Cruz highlands. Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), female.

    Santa Cruz highlands. Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), male.
    Santa Cruz highlands. Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), female.
    Santa Cruz highlands. Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), female.  She allowed me to try several photographs.

    Santa Cruz highlands. Epiphytes including an orchid.
    Santa Cruz highlands. Tree-fern, Cyathea weatherbyana, on crater wall.
    Galapagos sea lions are an endemic subspecies of California sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebacki). Note the small but distinct ears (Order Otaridae, the eared seals).

    Galapagos sea lions on dark volcanic sand. Larger size and smaller ears distingiush these from Galapagos fur seals, Arctocephalus galapagoensis.
    Galapagos sea lion.
    Sea lion (or fur seal?) skull on volcanic sand.

    Galapagos sea lion male.
    Galapagos sea lions are polygamous.
    Sea lion pup nursing (Zalophus californianus wollebacki)

    Young Galapagos sea lion.
    Galapagos sea lion.
    Parkinsonia flower.

    Floreana (Charles).  Flamingo lagoon. (Phoenicopterus ruber)
    Floreana (Charles).  Resident Yellow warblers, Dendroica petechia aureola, are found on many of the islands.
    Yellow warbler and salt bush, Croton scouleri.

    Fernandina.  Land iguana, Conolophus subcristatus.
    Land iguana, about 4 feet long.  The snout is a bit longer and claws shorter than in the marine iguana.
    The land iguana's tail is rounded (not flattened like the marine iguana).

    Tower.  Swallow-tailed gulls, (Larus) Creagrus furcatus, the only gull that feeds primarily at night.
    Tower (Genovesa).  Immature Swallow-tailed gull.
    Tower.  Copulating Swallow-tailed gulls.

    Tower (Genovesa).  Copulating Swallow-tailed gulls.
    Swallow-tailed gulls, Larus furcatus.
    Following copulation, the female preens.

    Lava gull, Larus fuliginosus, (endemic) one of the world's rarest seabirds.  Only about 400 breeding pairs left.
    Lava gull
    Isabela.  Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), about 2 feet tall.  Showing its wing-- well adapted for swimming.

    Galapagos penguin.   One of the smallest species, and is found the farthest North.
    James (Santiago).  Galapagos dove, Zenaida galapagoensis.
    Fernandina.  Flightless cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi) spreading a "useless" wing.

    Fernandina.  Flightless cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi).
    Tower.  Frigatebird.
    Young frigatebird at its nest.  Great frigatebirds,Fregata minor, have rust colored feathers on face.  Young Magnificent frigatebird (F. magnificens) have white faces.

    Nestling Great frigatebird resting, draped over its nest. 
    Great frigatebird.  How to tell which species.
    Fernandina has an active volcano.  Brachycerus cactus, ~3 feet tall, found only on lava.

    Floreana.  Candelabra cactus, Jasminocereus.
    Baltra.  Opuntia with blooms.
    Floreana.  Sally lightfoot crab.

    Floreana.  Sally lightfoot crabs, Grapsus grapsus

    Hood.  Sea lion pups gathered in the nursery (Zalophus californianus wollebacki)

    Hood.  Sea lions on the beach; our cruise ship offshore.

    Hood.  Some members of the group along with sea lions.

    Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus, in flight.  See RIT for more photos.

    Tropicbird leaves its nest.  Masked boobies,Sula dactylatra.

    Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus on its nest.
    Darwin Station.  Darwin's finches.
    Santa Cruz.  Small tree finch,  Camarhynchus parvulus.

    Large ground finch (female?), Geospiza magnirostris.
    Santa Cruz.  Medium ground finch (female), Geospiza fortis.
    Small ground finch (female), Geospiza fuliginosa.

    Tower (Genovesa).  Sharp-beaked ground finch (female), Geospiza difficilis, on Opuntia flower.
    Cactus ground finch, Geospiza scandens, on Opuntia.
    Isabela.  Galapagos Mockingbird, Nesomimus parvulus, perched with a view of the caldera.

    Hood (Espanola).  Hood Mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi.
    Hood Mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi.

    Hood Mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi.
    Hood Mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi, with my hat.
    James (Santiago).  Lava lizard, Tropidurus

    Floreana.  Lava lizard.
    Hood Is. has the largest species of Lava lizard.  The female has red markings.
    Hood.  Male lava lizard. Both sexes are territorial.

    Hood.  Male lava lizard, Tropidurus
    Isabela.  Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii, pair with chick and egg.  Asynchronous hatching facilitates siblicide.
    Hood.  Blue-footed Booby feeding older chick.  Feeding is close to shore, so pairs in this colony usually raise 2-3 chicks.

    Blue-footed Booby with young chick.
    Immature Blue-footed Boobies.
    Blue-footed Boobies with older chick.

    Blue-footed Booby mated pair.  The female has a dark iris.
    Hood.  Blue-footed Booby with older chicks.
    Blue-footed Booby courtship display.  The male honks, the female whistles. 

    Blue-footed Booby Courtship displays include slow, deliberate lifting of feet.
    Blue-footed Booby.
    Hood.  Blue-footed Booby courtship display includes "sky pointing"

    Hood (Espanola).  Galapagos Hawk, Buteo galapagoensis.
    Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), white phase.  They nest in the bushes.
    Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), white phase. 

    Immature Red-footed Booby, Sula sula.
    Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), brown phase.
    Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), brown phase.

    Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), brown phase.
    Masked Boobies, Sula dactylatra.  Courtship feeding.
    Masked Boobies, Sula dactylatra.

    Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra.
    Masked Boobies are the largest boobies.  They nest on steep terrrain or near cliffs.
    James (Santiago).  Marine Iguanas, Amblyrhynchus cristatus.  The subspecies on James has red coloring.

    James (Santiago).  Marine Iguanas, Amblyrhynchus cristatus. 
    Marine Iguana.  There are 7 subspecies.
    Fernandina.  Marine Iguanas.  Longer claws and short snout compared to land iguana.

    Fernandina.  Marine Iguanas.  Thermoregulation by basking
    Tower.  Marine Iguana.
    Hood Is. (Espanola) Marine Iguanas, Amblyrhynchus cristatus, have bright breeding coloration.

    Hood (Espanola) Marine Iguana.  They drink salt water and "sneeze" salty brine.
    Hood (Espanola) Marine Iguanas.
    Hood (Espanola).  Waved Albatross, Diomedea irrorata.  The only breeding colonies in the world.  Photographed about a month before the juveniles leave in January.

    Hood.  Waved Albatross, Diomedea irrorata.  A goose-sized bird but with a wingspan of 7 feet.
    Bartolome.  The obligatory photo of pinnacle rock.
    Because this group included renowned volcanologists, we had access to a few islands and landing points not on the usual tourist routes of the time.  The trip (which included Giovanna Holbrook of Holbrook travel) also included a few other stops in Ecuador (including Quito, Otovalo, and Guayaquil), but those slides have not yet been scanned.
    Thanks to Amy Cook, CBU School of Sciences, who scanned my 35mm slides.
    Links for Dr. Ross's Galapagos Photos Page

    About the Galapagos Islands
    About Organisms of the Galapagos

    About Dr. Ernst Mayr: About Volcanology:     		About Evolution and Darwin 
    [Jan 2007]
    email: aross@cbu.edu