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After posting a different Hood mockingbird image as today’s photo of the day, I came across this shot, which I like even more. These mockingbirds are found only on Española Island (previously called Hood Island). They live in social groups where the lower-ranking members help raise the young of the dominant pair. That’s my hand […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4988: Hood mockingbirds are found only on Española Island. They live in social groups where the lower-ranking members help raise the young of the dominant pair. And as this photo shot without using a zoom demonstrates: they have no fear of humans. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
Marty’s photo of the day #4987: This is a Pacific burrfish. Unlike pufferfish which have spines that lay flat, Pacific burrfish have short, thick, immovable spines that stick out all the time. And when threatened, they can rapidly swallow water to inflate their body, doubling their size. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
Marty’s photo of the day #4986: I photographed these white-cheeked pintail ducks as they were hanging out at a waterhole with Galapagos tortoises. These unique ducks are found in the Galápagos Islands, the Caribbean, and South America. Unlike many other duck species, males and females look alike, and they are adapted to brackish water, often […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4985: Supposedly, Sally Lightfoot crabs are named after a Caribbean dancer because of their nimble, light-footed movements. The actual human Sally Lightfoot is unknown. The crabs can squirt streams of water from their shells at attackers, and if they lose a leg, claw, or eye, they can regenerate another during […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4984: Deb and I saw only one flamingo in the Galapagos Islands. Two if you count the reflection. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
During the past few weeks, I’ve concentrated on wildlife that is unique to the Galapagos Islands. Great blue herons aren’t unique to the islands, but I’ve never seen one extend its neck quite so far. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
Marty’s photo of the day #4983: It’s lunchtime for a young Galapagos sea lion. Worldwide, there are six species of sea lions, and of those, the Galapagos sea lions are the smallest. Females average 200 pounds; males average 550 pounds. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
Marty’s photo of the day #4982: Colorful king angelfish stood out among the underwater life of the Galapagos Islands. They were difficult to photograph, however. If the water wasn’t clear, they’d look like they had white specks on their scales; if the lighting wasn’t perfect, their eyes wouldn’t show up; and they’d often turn just […]
I’ve never been without insurance, but insurance companies piss me off nevertheless. About a month ago, Hartford Insurance sent me their annual home and auto insurance bills. The auto stayed about the same, but the home increased from $3,600.00 to $7,728.00. I’ve had Hartford for many years, and the only claim I’ve ever made on […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4981: A group of Galapagos tortoises (also known as giant tortoises) that has stopped at a waterhole on their migration from the highlands to the lowlands. I really like the reflection on the water in this shot. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
If you have to ban books on behalf of your god, your god does not exist. If you have to speak on behalf of your god, your god does not exist. If you have to deny critical thinking on behalf of your god, your god does not exist. If you have to judge the personal […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4980: An exhausted green sea turtle makes it ashore after hours of “waterbed sex.” (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
Marty’s photo of the day #4979: This is a finescale triggerfish. They can swim forward, backward, or hover by rippling their dorsal and anal fins. They have 8 strong teeth in each jaw, allowing them to crush sea urchins, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their teeth grow throughout their lives, requiring them to chew hard materials to […]
I never expected to see snakes on the Galapagos Islands. In fact, one book I read before the trip said the islands had a few small snakes but seeing them was extremely rare. As I’ve learned during my travels, I seldom find snakes when looking for them and often find them when I’m not. Consequently, […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4978: The Galapagos Islands reminded me of my visit to Antarctica, because the wildlife of both places have no fear of humans. I was sitting on a beach when this yellow warbler approached within inches of me. (Photographed last month in the Galapagos Islands.)
This photo is only possible in the Galapagos Islands: a brown pelican, next to Galapagos penguins, next to Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Marty’s photo of the day #4977: It’s Monday, and the Middle Eastern religions are fighting each other again. One would think Darwin and critical thinking would have ended this madness. So while the religions do what they’ve done since humans invented them, how about if the rest of us enjoy a little booby? This is […]
Marty’s photo of the day #4976: This was my favorite moment of last month’s Galapagos Islands trip. There are strict rules about not touching wildlife. However, the animals don’t have any rules. I was on my knees, photographing a group of Galapagos sea lions, when this pup grew curious about me and crawled across the […]
