On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning All,
Another old draft – my apologies, Albratrossity. Especially ironic considering how much I love lizards.
Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the pictures!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.
Last batch of pics from the Enchanted Isles
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
The Nazca Booby was formerly thought to be a subspecies of the more common Masked Booby found along the coast of South America, but was accorded full species status a couple of decades ago. It is a large and handsome booby, as you can see.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
One of the prettiest gulls in the world (and another Galápagos endemic), the Swallow-tailed Gull. The red orbital around the eye indicates that this bird is in breeding condition, and it was perhaps choosing a rock for its nest somewhere else on the island.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
Sometimes eggs are abandoned by the Waved Albatrosses, for unknown reasons, and this was one of those, according to the guides. Swiss Army knife for scale.
Española Island in the Galápagos
The lava lizards in the archipelago are another great example of species diversification, and the ones on Española are particularly beautiful. This one is a female.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
Marine iguanas are one of the more bizarre species on the planet, and are another critter found only in the Galápagos. Again, they vary from island to island, and the ones on Española are known as the Christmas Tree iguanas because of their fabulous color scheme.
Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
One again, to submit pictures: Use the Form
JPL
Hooray for the Booby!!!
Rob
Pretty lizards!
p.a.
Primo work as always. Thanks.
OzarkHillbilly
Nothing beats Tuesdays with Albatrossity.
mrmoshpotato
@JPL: Phrasing!
arrieve
I love the Galapagos! Thank you, Albatrossity.
Mary G
Love the Christmas tree iguana. He doesn’t look real. Thanks again Albatrossity.
MelissaM
How much did the booby pay you for that portrait? Seriously, it’s beautiful!
Aleta
wow
incredible work. thanks
eclare
Amazing, as always. And thank you for the descriptions.
rikyrah
The pictures are superb. :)
TaMara (HFG)
Great way to begin the day…
StringOnAStick
The wildlife we saw in the Galapagos was amazing, the most interesting I’ve seen anywhere; thanks for the reminder photos!
After going there I was pretty sure that the marine iguanas were the inspiration for Godzilla, even more so if they would stand on their hind legs though alas I never saw one do that.
An interesting thing our guide/naturalist pointed out on one small birds and lizards-only island was that on the flat plain on one side of that island there was the occasional white brain sized rounded rocks in among the black everything else (bedrock, boulders; all black basalt). Closer examination revealed them to be a bleached coral head. According to the guide these are a type that lives in fairly deep water and the kicker was that they probably ended up on this island thanks to a tsunami. That certainly got this former geologist’s attention.
Jay Noble
“It is a large and handsome booby, as you can see.” My inner ten-year old is rolling on the floor. :-)
Scamp Dog
@Jay Noble: Yes, I think it wins the prize. :)
Mel
Gorgeous critters and stunningly lovely photos. The lizards have attitude to spare. Lady lava lizard is especially cute.