R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 160

Fun Photo Friday — Ballestos Favorites Part 3

This Island is for the Birds

Today is our last look at Islas Ballestas. But before we continue up the coast of South America to Lima, Peru, I’m going to take you on a detour to a very special spot in New Mexico. There’s a reason for this, because this historic site is only open twice a year and upcoming April 2 is one of those two days for 2016. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in the delay getting back to our northward cruise from Chile to Los Angeles when you see this upcoming surprise. L...

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 6

Ballestas color

Here is another bird we saw on our excursion to Islas Ballestas. It’s the Inca tern, (the smaller charcoal-colored birds to the left of the larger Peruvian booby) and it sports a stunning red bill, orange feet, and delicate white and yellow designs on its head.

The beautiful red bills of the Inca tern

Here we have a pair of South American sea lions sunning themselves:

Sunning

While these ladies more enjoyed the shade:

Lying in the shade

In this shot we have a number of mother...

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 5

Peruvian boobies

Yes, we saw much more than Peruvian boobies and South American sea lions on our visit to Islas Ballestas. Here, for instance, are a pair of Humboldt penguins crashing a Pervian booby party:

A pair of Humboldt Penguins crashing the party

We also got a good view of this colorful little guy, a red rock crab, also known as a Sally Lightfoot (grapsus grapsus):

Sally Lightfoot meandering amongst the mollusks

Another look at the nursery:

Sea lion moms and their pups

More Peruvian bo...

Fun Photo Friday — Ballestos Favorites Part 2

Battling Birds for the Catch of the Day

I hope you enjoy today’s second of three Fun Photo Fridays dedicated to Islas Ballestas favorites.

On the Perch

Bridge of Birds (sea lion out for a swim on the left)

Blue on Blue

Green Islands

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Fun Photo Friday, Islas Ballestas, Paracas National Reserve, Peru, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 4

Natural Bridge

Entire cliffs on Islas Ballestas were covered in birds. Here are more of the ever-present Peruvian boobies demonstrating what I mean:

A Cliff of Birds

Meanwhile Islas Ballestas beaches were crowded with mother sea lions and their army of pups (note the gigantic male on the left side of the photo):

Babies on the Beach

Lest you think that the above photo was merely a tight cropping that misrepresents the numbers, here’s another view:

Pups and Moms

Here are some females enjoying s...

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 3

Birds of a Feather Flocking Together

Yes, there were a lot of Peruvian boobies on Islas Ballestas, but they weren’t the only birds around. Here are some red-legged cormorants:

Red-Legged Cormorants

But most people on our boat were much more interested in the South American sea lions that populated the rocky cliffs and sandy beaches:

Sea Lion Beach

Here’s a view of yet another colony of female sea lions and their pups:

Mamas and Pups

The flocks of birds dotting the face of the rugged cliffs we...

Fun Photo Friday — Ballestos Favorites Part 1

Portals

Today and for the next two Fun Photo Fridays I’ll be featuring some favorite photos of Islas Ballestas. Here are today’s selections:

Flip Me Over When I’m Done

Rock Carving

Pelicans in Flight

Water on the Rocks

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Fun Photo Friday, Islas Ballestas, Paracas National Reserve, Peru, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 2

Circling the Sea Lions

On this particular day we didn’t see a lot of the diversity for which Islas Ballestos is famous, but we certainly saw a lot of pinnipeds of one species — the South American sea lion. Here is a colony of mother sea lions tending to their pups:

The Nursery

The most prevalent bird species had to be the Peruvian Booby. They were everywhere:

Peruvian Booby

Peruvian Booby

These are the remains of an old guano mining operation:

Abandoned Guano Mine

Here are a couple of sea lio...

Islas Ballestas, Galápagos on the Cheap — Part 1

Islas Ballestas, Paracas National Reserve

Imagine a place where you can spot up to three dozen species of mammal and well over 200 species of birds. No, I’m not talking about the Galápagos Islands some 650 miles/1,000 kilometers out in the middle of the Pacific. I’m referring to a small group of islands just minutes by boat off the Peruvian coast.

Islas Ballestas, Paracas National Reserve

There is a small group of rocky protrusions jutting out from the Pacific less than twelve miles from eith...

Fun Photo Friday — Passing Paracas Peninsula

Tracks in the Sand

Here are today’s favorites from our boat trip along the north shore of Paracas Peninsula:

Pelican Place

El Candelabro

Enjoying the View

Going Fishing

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Fun Photo Friday, Paracas, Peru, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation