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,
As we move closer to the new site launch, I wanted to remind you to submit things now via the form or to hold off until the new site is live. The old email address is dead and until the new site is live, there’s no replacement for now. I hope to change that later today.
Ok, it looks like my concern about the new site launching very soon is a bit off, sounds like it will be a week or more, not days. I’ve got a bunch of submissions, mostly multiple sets from a few folks. Please do continue to submit pictures, but don’t feel like it must be now.
No, it’s not Friday, but, you know, life is tragically short – Albatrossity Tuesday it is!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.
Our last full day in the Galápagos was spent on Española Island, an uninhabited island a couple of hours by boat south of San Cristobal. The wildlife there is spectacular, and well worth the trip. Here are some of the sights from that day.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
On our boat trip we encountered a large pod of cetaceans that we originally thought were bottlenose dolphins, but they didn’t behave like dolphins, and also seemed to be bigger and bulkier. One of our party identified them as false killer whales, but upon inspection of the images I obtained, I think that they are another species, the melon-headed whale. The dorsal fin shape and the fact that the flippers were pointed rather than rounded is more consistent with that ID. Regardless of whether these were false killer whales or melon-headed whales, it was an exciting sighting of a very uncommon cetacean.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
The Galápagos Hawk is not a common resident on the inhabited islands, but there are several on Española. There are estimated to be only 100-150 breeding pairs in the entire archipelago. This one was perched on the coastal warning light when we arrived, and later came back so that I could collect a flight shot.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
Another very common bird on Española is the Galapagos Dove. Smaller than our Mourning Dove (about the size of the Inca Dove found in the US southwestern states), it is very colorful and photogenic.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
The Española (Hood) Mockingbird is another common species on this island, and it seemed to be the end of the breeding season for these guys, as we saw quite a few young birds begging from the haggard-looking parents. Longer-legged and with a more curved bill than the San Cristobal Mockingbird, these guys are justly famous for their place in the history of the theory of evolution.
Taken on 2019-05-31 00:00:00
Española Island in the Galápagos
The target species on Española is the Waved Albatross. This is a medium-sized (wingspan 7-8 ft) albatross, and is also the only albatross species that nests entirely within the tropics. Española is the only known nesting site for these birds, and there were quite a few, some still courting and some, like this one already incubating an egg.
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
OzarkHillbilly
Tuesdays with Albatrossity.
Mary G
Bonus Albatrossity! That Waved Albatross’ beak looks pretty scary and sharp.
JPL
Any day with photos from Albatrossity is a good day.
J R in WV
And last — but not least — an Albatross ~!!~
Thanks so much, you are an inspiration to all insomniac photobugs, everywhere. Back in bed soon now!
arrieve
Beautiful pictures as always, Albatrossity! I love the blue eyering on that dove.
waratah
She is so beautiful Albatrossity!
Mike S (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
Nice photos as usual! Thanks!
CCL
Lovely way to start a Tuesday. Thank you.
artem1s
obligatory albatross quote
rikyrah
Gorgeous pictures :)
You all are so talented :)
TaMara (HFG)
Well, now I feel better…
Betty
What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures.
scav
@arrieve: Especially as the eyering’s blue marches the sky behind — adds a whiff of unsettling and eerie, somehow flattens the dimensions.
Albatrossity
@scav: That’s not the sky; it’s the South Pacific Ocean! But yes, the match of the colors is a bit unsettling.