Introduction to the IslandsThe Galápagos archipelago sits astride the equator 1000 kilometers from the Ecuadorian mainland. It is comprised of 19 principle islands ranging between 1 and 4588 square kilometers and 
over 100 smaller islets and rocks. The landscape varies from stark lava flows and bold craters
adorned with candelabra cacti to fragrant palo santo (incense tree) woods and lush cloud
forests in the highlands of the larger islands. The climate is typically arid with two general
seasons. During the hot season air temperatures soar into the 90s and long interludes of clear
sunny days are interrupted by periodic rain showers. The cool season arrives when cold currents
wash through the archipelago. Air temperatures generally stay in the 70s, and the days are
frequently cloudy with periods of misty drizzle or "garua". The waters of Galapagos are closely
tied to the ebb and flow of the Humboldt and Cromwell currents and thus sensitive to
fluctuations in the world climate, especially El Nino phenomena. Unpredictable and striking
changes in temperature and rainfall occur as a result, creating dramatic variations in animal
populations. Life on land may flourish while sea bird and sea lion numbers diminish as a result
of excessively warm sea temperatures, or land birds may suffer under drought conditions while
unusually cool sea temperatures grant a proliferation of food for the seabirds. The Galápagos are famous for their fauna and flora, their uniqueness having captivated a history of visiting naturalists ever since the buccaneer William Dampier in 1684 and Charles Darwin in 1835. To the modern naturalist the islands are especially important for their endemic wildlife, with three quarters of the land bird species including 13 species of Darwin's 
finches and 4 species of mockingbirds, and most of the terrestrial reptiles (giant tortoises,
land and marine iguanas, lava lizard, snakes and geckos) found nowhere else in the world. Due
to its isolation, the Galápagos are also home to an abundance of nesting seabirds. The worlds
largest concentration of red-footed boobies nest here. Blue-footed boobies ostentatiously flaunt
their cerulean feet in high-stepping, sky-pointing courtship dance, while frigate birds show-off
scarlet balloon-sized gular pouches. The air is filled with a mesmeric symphony of whistles,
sighs, honks and Indian war hoop calls. Waved albatross bill fence in a comic pas de deux, the
flightless cormorant perform a graceful snake-like courtship dance, and Red-billed tropic birds
launch themselves into the sky in "screaming parties", their long white tails streaming behind
them. It is also the only place where penguins (the Galápagos penguin) are found in the northern
hemisphere.Since much of the terrestrial life depends on the marine world for sustenance, it is not surprising that underwater Galápagos is another rich and fascinating environment. Replete with myriad reef and pelagic fish, sea lions and fur seals, algae-feeding marine iguanas, green sea turtles, dolphins and whales, the seas surrounding the Galápagos islands abound with life. |