Within this page and others are images taken during my eye-opening adventure on the remarkable Galapagos Islands in May, 2007.  The Galapagos Archipelago consists of about 13 islands and other islets and rocks located just south of the equator, about 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America.The volcanic islands are born where molten magma emerges through the crust of the Pacific Ocean seabed, a Hot Spot.  As the magma accumulates it cools and gradually rises above the surface to form one island after another over time.  The Hot Spot is currently below the youngest and most volcanically active island, Fernandina, but all the islands were born at this location and then gradually moved southeast on the Nazca Plate at the rate of 75 mm a year.
All of the indigenous species of the Galapagos arrived there by swimming, floating or flying and then uniquely evolved over eons due to their isolation and lack of natural predators until homo sapiens arrived.  The greatest challange the Galapagos faces now is to overcome centuries of human predation and the introduction of other invasive species.  Its my hope that those who stumble across these pages of my adventure photos of the Galapagos will enjoy them and learn more about this fascinating land and the importance of its preservation. Please also visit my newest Galapagos page, The Journey Continues. To leave comments, suggestions or questions blog me! , for which there is also a link at the bottom of each page.
Roll over image lists to preview images. If you like what you see, click on the text link to enlarge. To navigate through enlarged images, click on the left or right arrows or the 'X' to close, in the caption area or on your keyboard.