Espanola

Espanola promised to be one of the more unforgettable of the Galapagos Islands and we weren't disappointed.

From a photographic perspective being able to get very close to large, unique, slow-moving wildlife is really making it easy. Add to this that the animals are in their natural habitat. Even people using simple compact cameras could get great shots of much of the wildlife.

The blue-footed booby was a favourite with everyone. They posed and some performed their mating jig, lifting one foot after another to impress their partner.

But when the Blue footed booby goes hunting for fish, that's a different story. The somewhat clumsy looking bird is transformed into a lethal. high-speed, jet fighter. Their bodies elongate and they descend absolutely vertically. Capturing that with your camera is an entirely different challenge.
Last night I watched with awe the Attenborough program on Galapagos. Boatloads of highly sophisticated photographic equipment and specialised underwater gear. Teams of photographers and access to all areas in the Galapagos.
What I did notice was the trajectory of the Blue Footed Booby AFTER it enters the water. They become torpedoes under the water, penetrating up to 10-15 feet before capturing their prey. An amazing bird, and blue feet to boot!
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