Galapagos 2013

We had a great holiday in the Galapagos with Prestige Promotions. A unique place.

Pods
The new 'Pods' that take you from the Business Parking at Heathrow, T5, out to the terminal. Great system; 4 seater 'pods' which you call up, get in, press the button for where you want to go and it takes you right into the terminal - no waiting for the buses.
Quito D3100
As you go around Quito you quickly become aware that many people are pretty poor. San Francisco square, taken from our hotel window.
Quito D3100
Taken from the hotel window in Quito.
Quito P310
Ecuador is very much a Catholic country; one of the main churches in Quito from our hotel window. There was a storm coming up.
Quito P310
The first full day after arriving was spent in Quito. This is on one of the many hills around the city - setting up to sell to the tourists.
Quito P310
Above the city of Quito, the Virgin with wings.
Quito P310
On the square in front of the hotel; one of the girls/ladies selling colourful scarves. We bought 8 in the end!
Quito P310
A growth industry in Quito.
Quito P310
Some of the group 'at table'; lunch in one of the restaurants in Quito - great potato soup, a speciality in Ecuador. The shot was taken before the beers arrived. Clive is sticking to his diet.
Quito P310
Another group at the restaurant had arranged their own entertainment; these girls were doing traditional dancing.
Quito P310
When it rains, it really comes down; afternoon of the first day, from our window.
Quito D3100
Our 'home' for the trip around the islands would be the 'La Pinta' - we had the boat for the 40 or so of us on the trip.
P310
Frigate bird in flight.
Frigate D3100
Frigate bird, fantastic to watch them fly. Very large bird, wingspan a little over 7 feet.
Frigate D3100
Land Iguana with late afternoon sun.
Iguana D3100
Land Iguana.
Iguana D3100
Land Iguana.
Iguana D3100
Land Iguana. It's amazing how close they let you get.
Iguana D3100
Looks like a kind of sea eagle.
Bird D3100
Male frigate bird with his chest puffed out; there are two types of frigate bird; Magnificent and Great - I think this is a 'magnificent' from his colouring.
Frigate D3100 bird
Male and female frigate birds - doesn't he look proud. From my idiot guide to wildlife, bought on board, I believe these are 'great' frigate birds from the female plumage and the arrangement of the spots on the male's throat pouch.
Frigate D3100 bird
Land Iguana.
Iguana D3100
Land Iguana eating. It looks like flash has been used, but not so. Not allowed on the islands; this is effect of low, late sun.
Iguana D3100
Jonathan Scott with the kind of kit when you have been World Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and you are a 'Canon Ambassador'. Bloody heavy.
Jonathan D3100
One of the symbols of the Galapagos; the Blue Footed Booby. They always look as though they have great character.
Booby D3100 blue
"Look at me; look at my blue feet!"
Booby D3100 blue bird
Frigate bird against the late evening sun.
Frigate sunset D3100 bird
Guess who.
Booby feet D3100 bird blue
Quite a few of us were on deck each day for sunrise; this was the first of them. As Simon said of those who did not get up early "If you snooze, you lose".
sunrise P310
A Nazca Booby
Nazca Booby bird D3100
Penguin
penguin bird D3100
Penguin swimming, shot from the panga which was tossing around in the swell.
penguin bird D3100
One of the cliff formations; everything is volcanic in origin here.
cliff D3100
I loved the way the sea ran in and broke on some of the rocky beaches. I have exposed to keep the cliffs almost black.
surf D3100
Same again; love the surf.
surf D3100
Pelicans; they were flying in formation. Made me think of a WW2 fighter formation.
pelican bird D3100
Pelicans again in formation.
pelican bird D3100
Like five Spitfires doing a 'run and break to land'.
pelican bird D3100
Three marine Iguanas giving us the eye.
marine iguana D3100
Sea turtle, you can just see his nostrils above the water.
turtle D3100
Sea turtle with his head up to breathe before diving again.
turtle D3100
A colony of Blue Footed Boobies at the entrance to a cave.
Booby blue bird D3100
A penguin and a marine iguana share the photo. Taken from the panga.
penguin bird marine iguana D3100
Marine Iguana just out of the water and taking the sun.
marine iguana D3100
Marine iguana.
marine iguana D3100
A penguin in the act of diving; taken from the panga.
penguin bird D3100
Marine iguana.
marine iguana D3100

Photography without an iPhone.

Galapagos 2013