Rabida Island, Galapagos is a beautiful iron-rich red rock island. Arrival by a wet landing from our ship, the Eclipse, we walked a short trail that led off the beach. A continual screech cry couldn’t be ignored and looking down I saw a teenage Galapagos Mockingbird screaming at his parents “Feed me! Feed me!” Seems the parents were trying to wean him off to get him to fend for himself, but the training wasn’t going so well.
These mockingbirds continued to entertain me throughout the week, so prepare for some more stories about these fun and entertaining Galapagos Mockingbird. Many people think that it was the differences in the finches on the Galapagos Islands that had caught Darwin’s attention. But actually, it was the mockingbird that had Charles Darwin recognize the evolutionary differences in the birds from different islands.
Darwin Finches were everywhere and darted here and there. The difference in the Darwin Finches are made by the build of their beak. Somehow the Medium Ground Finches were the ones that caught my eye the most.
Yellow Warblers were found nearly at every stop that we made during the week and serenaded our day with their beautiful song.
Following our walk-a-bout, we returned to the red sand beach for a swim and snorkel. The beauty of Galapagos is found in land, sea and sky. The volcanic islands are each unique due to their age. The sky is filled with a wide variety of birds. While the sea – the incredible sea is filled with another world of wildlife.
Galapagos is unique to any other location in the world. Three ocean currents merge at the islands, bringing a range of water temperatures that provide a supportive environment for the local wildlife. The Humboldt Current is considered the polar current with cold temperatures that ocean life thrives on. The Cromwell Current from the Pacific Ocean also brings cold waters, while the Panama Current brings tropical warm waters to the islands.
Upon reaching the beach, we immediately joined up with our swim partners. The Galapagos Sea Lions are quite social creatures and are found throughout the islands.
Along with the Sea Lion, a Brown Pelican flew in to join the party.
While Sally Lightfoot Crabs clung on the red rocks. I’ve heard they’re good eating, but are now protected on the islands as they had been overfished.
Brown Noddy’s darted in and out of a beach cave with their soft gray helping them to blend into the shadows.
Now it time to take a swim in the water. Let’s don our snorkel mask and fins and take a dip in the warm waters at Rabida Island. It is a beautiful sight, and enjoy the colorful reef fish floating along the rocks with me. Keep an eye out though, we may just have a surprise visitor at minute 2.55.
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
You must feel like you’re in heaven, Emily! Wonderful images!
Indeed, a steamy and hot Heaven but glorious indeed. I loved how calm and close the animals were.
Beautiful … again! To me, that crab looks like a happy child painted it like that. A fun post. Thank you! 🙂
Isn’t that an amazing crab? We saw them all over and each island they had their own color variations. Thank you.
Fascinating indeed! And oh so beautiful! 🙂
wow that crab has incredible colours 🙂
It’s amazing what nature can create. When we cook the Blue Crab here in Maryland, they become close to this brilliant orange.
Very cool! 😀
Tremendous array of cool wildlife!
You would absolutely love it Phil. May be worth leaving the swamp for.
Wow again! That crab is something else! I’ve read Darwin’s book, he should have used your photos to illustrate it. 😉
You are truly too sweet. Galapagos is easy to capture, but hard on the light.
Great images Em
Appreciate it Mark. 🙂
Beyond awesome captures! I love the colorful crab. The underwater video was great also. I would get lost on this island and never come home. …
Indeed, I felt the same way, but it is harsh climate on the equator and during the day you wish you had a place to escape to. Very little fresh water on the islands as well, and next to no rain. So thrilled that you watched the video. BTW, next post just click on the name “Eclipse” in blue and it’ll link you to the ship website.
How was the water? Did you need a wet suit? How did you manage to get everything lit up so well?
The water at Rabida was warm enough that I didn’t need a wetsuit. All of the other locations I did need use one. Particularly in the “deep water” snorkel spots.
Awesome. Gosh that crab looks so delicious. Did the Sea lion teach you a few tricks how to swim? Happy Easter, Emily.
Alas, he was more interested in just swimming along with us. It’s wonderful to see you and hope you’re having a glorious Easter Sunday.
Hi Emily! I don’t remember the underwater music but I love the video!
LOL ! That is funny Lindsay. I really wish I had invested in a better underwater camera, but this is what I had. Better something than nothing right? Loved that the white-tip reef shark nearly ran me over. Scared the dickens out of me.
Beautiful photos. That is one gorgeous crab.
Thank you so much, hope all is well with you.
I so want to go! Loving your captures – AMAZEBALLS:):):) Thanks so much for sharing!
Oh you really should make it happen. It’s absolutely incredible in the Galapagos. You know I’m thrilled to share. 🙂
What amazing creatures, both in the pictures and video and how lucky you were to see that shark! I love snorkeling and we do it often, but I’ve never seen a shark in its natural habitat. Thank you for sharing.
So…when are you going? The shark was a crazy surprise and at first I was..crap !! I need to get out of the water. Then I quickly decided to follow it instead. Cool that you get to snorkel often. And on the west coast it must be awesome.
Ohhhh- How I am loving this trip! I enjoyed the snorkeling video Thank you so much for sharing.
Yeah, how fun!
You held it together pretty well with that shark, gosh I don’t think I would have been so calm at least it’d have taken me a few minutes. 🙂 Awesome share though.
I really get a kick out of your photos and the moments you managed to capture in these creatures lives, the whining Mockingbird, the singing warbler, the statuesque Seal, and well the crab gets props for its color! Well done!
Yes, I agree better any video than none, although sometimes it’s nice to not have to worry about equipment!
Funny, if you could hear the tape you can hear me go OOH !! At first I wanted to swim away asap, but quickly decided to follow him instead. You are such a master artist with words and I’m always so honored when you visit and write. Can’t thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Just amazing!
I’ve been so fortunate to be able to visit such incredible places. Thank you and wonderful meeting you.
Your blog is amazing Thank You for sharing your incredible adventures!!! 🙂