Thursday April 17:Genovesa (Tower) Island: Darwin Bay and Prince Phillips' Steps.

Great

Great Frigate Bird Link to larger image in new window

Off ship at 0830 via panga to a coral beachon Darwin Bay and a walk on Genovesa (Tower) Island. Here we saw our first Great Frigate Birds - courting and nesting. The courting males are spectacular with a huge balloon pouch (gular sac) they inflate to attract the females who fly overhead. The males show off their pouches with their heads thrown back while trembling their outstretched wings. An amazing sight! Also saw our first Red-footed Boobies here. The skin around their eyes and bill is pink and purple. Also saw Nazca Booby, Galapagos Mockingbird, Lava Gull, Swallow-tailed Gull. Walk was along the beach and across some lava. Swimming and snorkeling along the beach followed. Julian had some of his best snorkeling along the cliff here.
Genovesa and Darwin Bay

Genovesa and Darwin Bay Link to larger image in new window

All images in the next group are of the impressive Great Frigate Birds.
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GFB with Red-footed Booby

Great Frigate Bird with Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Female and Male Great Frigate Birds

Female and Male Link to larger image in new window

Male - in Flight

Male - in flight Link to larger image in new window

Female - in flight

Female - in flight Link to larger image in new window

Also seen at Darwin Bay:
Swallow-tailed Gulls

Swallow-tailed Gulls Link to larger image in new window

Galapagos Mockingbird

Galapagos Mockingbird Link to larger image in new window

Nazca Booby chick

Nazca Booby chick Link to larger image in new window

Nazca Booby chick

Nazca Booby chick Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Swallow-tailed Gull

Swallow-tailed Gull Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Cactus Flower

Cactus Flower Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Nazca Booby chick

Nazca Booby chick Link to larger image in new window

Nazca Boobies

Nazca Boobies Link to larger image in new window

Lava Gull

Lava Gull Link to larger image in new window

Swallow-tailed Gull

Swallow-tailed Gull Link to larger image in new window

Galapagos Mockingbird

Galapagos Mockingbird Link to larger image in new window

Sea Lion

Sea Lion Link to larger image in new window

Sea Lion

Sea Lion Link to larger image in new window

Red-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Immature Swallow-tailed Gull

Immature Swallow-tailed Gull Link to larger image in new window

JT & MJ on the beach

JT & MJ on the beach Link to larger image in new window

After lunch we climbed Prince Phillip's Steps - (some really steep) cut into the side of a cliff - a handrail was available. At the top of the cliff we walked through trees where we saw a Yellow-footed Red-footed Booby. No one has gotten a good picture of this bird so one hasn't been submitted to the CDRS yet. We saw Short-Eared Owl, white morph Red-Footed Booby, numerous Galapagos Mockingbird and Julian saw a Sharp-beaked Finch. Also saw Shearwaters and Fur Seal.

Red-Footed (with Yellow feet) Booby

Red-Footed (with Yellow feet) Booby Link to larger image in new window

White Phase Red-Footed Booby

White Phase Red-Footed Booby Link to larger image in new window

Nazca Booby chick

Nazca Booby chick Link to larger image in new window

Short-Eared Owl

Short-Eared Owl
(at a distance) Link to larger image in new window

Galapagos Dove

Galapagos Dove Link to larger image in new window

White-tipped Sharks

White-tipped Sharks Link to larger image in new window

Daily Expedition Report for April 17

On to April 18 Bartolomé and Santiago Islands: Pinnacle Rock; Puerto Egas

Back to April 16 (Santa Cruz & Charles Darwin Research Station)

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