Predator and prey, face to face. Both unique to the Galapagos, both fearless, both magnificent creatures under the early skies of Espanola Island.
Today we landed at 6 o'clock on the oldest island. Why so early? To take advantage of the morning light and to witness the awakening of birds and sea lions. We breathed the cool breeze of the dry season, and stepped on land right after the sun came up.
We had lots of takers for this early option; many of our photographers are on board for this "Photography Expedition on the Wild Side" with Ralph Lee Hopkins and Jack Swenson.
Just yesterday Jack lectured us on "Wildlife Photography", so this morning we were ready to put into practice what we were taught. What better place to do it than in the Galapagos, where creatures literally come to your cameras, especially mockingbirds. One landed on my hand today!
This is also a great season for colors. Iguanas are getting their breeding turquoise, female lava lizards have their red throats, and the rocks show the shiny green of healthy algae. The hawk stood next to the iguana, enjoying the light morning wind. The iguana was not its breakfast, and somehow the iguana knew it. They remained together for a while until the hawk finally took off, but by then everyone had had the chance to take several unique pictures.
We are all eager to do our next early outing, to get to the islands when no one is awake yet, to catch up in our photos a first glimpse of a baby sea lion or the morning flapping of a pair of wings. We'll learn about photo techniques with Ralph and Jack, and at the end of the week, everyone will go back home with professional pictures to share with the world.
