
A squirming baby sea lion (less than 6 weeks old) on the beach of Espanola Island. Sadly, the beautiful Galapagos Island which are rich with diverse wildlife has battled with human beasts as a huge threat. In 2008, Galapagos National Park officials announced that 53 sea lions (13 pups, 25 youngsters, 9 males and 6 females) were killed at Pinta, Galapagos Islands nature reserve, with their heads caved in. In 2001, poachers killed 35 male sea lions. Photo #1 by sly06

Galapagos Island Sunset. Photo #2 by Eric Schmuttenmaer

Land Iguana at the Darwin Center, Galapagos. Photo #3 by Linda Paul

Red Sally lightfoot crab – Islas Plazas – Galapagos Islands. Photo #4 by Mark Rowland

Galapagos Blowhole. Photo #5 by Linda Paul

Galapagos – Puerto Villamil. Photo #6 by alh1

Galapagos tortoises mating. Photo #7 by Hamburgerin

This beautiful creature referred to as ‘dandelion’ was discovered by geologists during a 1977 expedition. Scientists now know that it is a siphonophore, a relative of the Portuguese man-of-war. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program Animals living near hydrothermal vents have to survive under harsh conditions like high pressure, steep temperature gradients, and high concentrations of toxic chemicals. Despite these seemingly inhospitable conditions, many animals do more than simply survive. They thrive. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Galapagos Rift Expedition 2011. Photo #8 by NOAA, Ocean Explorer

Galapagos flamingoes. Photo #9 by alh1

San Christo Kicker Rock. Photo #10 by Mike Comber

Giant Galapagos Tortoises. Photo #11 by cliff1066™

Diamond stingray (Dasyatis dipterura) in the Galapagos. Photo #12 by Rein Ketelaars from Nijmegen, Netherlands

Marine iguanas on Galapagos Islands. Photo #13 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Ecuador, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands. Photo #14 by Rosalind Cohen, NODC, NOAA

Young eagle – Urbina Bay – Isabela Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #15 by Mark Rowland

Darwin’s Arch, Galapagos. Photo #16 by refractor

Galapagos napping seal and crab. Photo #17 by kylemac

Mano, Galapagos Shark. In July 2011, Ecuadorean authorities seized 357 dead sharks from a boat that was fishing illegally in the protected waters of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Photo #18 by NOAA

This is the first island that Charles Darwin explored during his adventure on The Beagle in 1835. Photo #19 by Linda Paul

Sea Lions Kissing. Photo #20 by Linda Paul

Red lava in the early morning light. Photo #21 by alh1

The photographer wrote, “This male sea lion came right up to my mask in a threat display when I swam too close to this spot when snorkeling.” Photo #22 by alh1

Marine Iguanas – Suarez Point – Espanola Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #23 by Mark Rowland

Waterfall near Jatun Sacha, San Cristóbal, Galapagos, Ecuador. Photo #24 by fabulousfabs

Sea Lions – Gardner Bay – Espanola Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #25 by Mark Rowland

Swallow-tailed gulls – Islas Plazas – Galapagos Islands. Photo #26 by Mark Rowland

Galapagos Islands Crab taken for Marine Debris Photo Album. Photo #27 by NOAA

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands – An interesting rock formation and sealions at James Bay, Santiago Island. Photo #28 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Sea Lions on Galapagos Islands. Photo #29 by Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim

Penguins on rocks of Galapagos Islands. Photo #30 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Galapagos Islands 2010. Photo #31 by cdorobek

Marine iguana on rocks of Galapagos Islands. Photo #32 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Galapagos iguana. Photo #33 by NASA Earth Observatory

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador. Photo #34 by fabulousfabs

Wonder why they’re called blue-footed boobies? Photo #35 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Sailing toward the Galapagos Islands. Photo #36 by cdorobek
[…] Wonder of Nature: Galapagos Islands [36 PICS] Posted by: Nuno Roberto Posted date: August 10, 2011 | No comment GD Star Ratingloading… 1 […]
Incredible, wild, strange and so glorious to see marine life left to flourish without man’s interference. Thanks for this wonderful series!
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Wonder of Nature: Galapagos Islands [36 PICS]
Thank you sir/madam
Great captures of the sea lions…awesome!
Really wonderfull collection i just fall in love with them.
Glad you could use our pic! For more pics and info about the Galapagos, our 4-day cruise, and volunteering for Jatun Sacha on San Cristobal island, check out our blog.
[…] is for Iguana. This Marine Iguana is at Espanola Island, Galapagos. Photo #10 by blinking […]
i love galopagos
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[…] Wonder of Nature: Galapagos Islands [36 PICS] […]
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