This experience was as though I was in a live National Geographic Magazine. So many varieties of birds. The ones I was lucky enough to see (and in great numbers) included the Peruvian Booby, Red Legged Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Peruvian Pelican, Guanay Cormorant, and the Humboldt Penguin. I also witnessed an amazing sea lion habitat. There were beaches where the sea lion give birth. There were rocky beaches where the older (male only) sea lions hang, and plenty of young sea lions on the rocks.
This place is the Galapagos Islands of Peru. Totally protected to the point where no humans are permitted to step foot on the island or the surrounding rocks. I took all my pics obviously from my launch.
The sea lions were the most fascinating. Here’s some info of which I was unaware. Their gestation period is 11 months and all sea lions are born from January to March. Since I am here in March I was able to see many babies. (see pics) The female usually gives birth to only one baby per gestation period. In the rare event that two are born, the mother must kill the weaker one since she can only feed one per birth. So rather than have the one unfed baby suffer she will kill the weaker baby. I found this fascinating.
All the wildlife here feeds from the sea. There are no Orcas of sharks in these waters. Thus, these sea lions usually die of old age.
Peruvian Pelicans in their habitat. One is in flight.Peruvian Pelicans on their rocky shore. Some can weight as much as 40 pounds after a good meal.This is the rocky beach where the sea lion calves are born. See the close up for more detail.Another shot of the “nursery.” I wish I could share all the barking and shouting that was going on here. Really loud.Close up of some babies. The lighter sea lions are females. The darker larger ones male.This is a shot of the all male club. They are older and must hang on more level beaches. These males are usually not the ones still mating. Those males can gain up to an additional 500 pounds in advance of the mating season. This is because (like some human populations) the males impregnate 15 or so females. This may explain why these older ones pictured here or so tired.Here are the Peruvian Boobys. No jokes here as that is way to easy. Ok, so who doesn’t enjoy seeing a bunch of Peruvian Boobys, right?Two young females.Close up of a female on the rocks. Sounds like a cocktail.The Peruvian Penguins.Penguins again, but note the Red Legged Cormorant at top.Just one more. Can’t help it cause they are so damn cute.
