2021 Photo Prints
The photos below are a collection of some of my favorites from my time in the Galapagos Islands. Each one captures moments that I will never forget, and I’m excited to be able to share those moments with you. I took each of the photos below with a Canon EOS R and an EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS II lens.
All photos are printed on high quality luster paper and are unframed. Most are cropped in post but with little color correction. If you would like a size or photo not listed here please let me know!
Most of the accompanying facts on this page are from naturalist guides on the island, but some are cited from the Charles Darwin Foundation’s website.
Magnificent Frigate
8x10: $15
A male Magnificent Frigatebird with breeding plumage. Truly magnificent. It takes these huge birds more than 20 minutes to inflate their throat pouch, which is used to sing and attract a mate. Frigate birds, both Great and Magnificent, can be found all over South and Central America, but travel hundreds of miles off shore to nest in the Galapagos.
To enable these long flights, these birds can sleep while flying and exert very little energy in flight. They can also drink seawater by desalinating it within their bills.
North Seymour Island, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/4000 sec. ISO-320 400mm
Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus cristatus)
8x10: $15
Marine Iguana are the only land reptiles on Earth that exhibit marine behavior. They dive and hunt for food in the reef shorelines and can hold their breath for up to 60 minutes! The 11 total subspecies can be found laying along coastal beaches all throughout the Galapagos. Photographed here is a Amblyrhynchus cristatus cristatus, who inhabit Isabela and Fernandina Islands (under the 2017 proposed taxonomy, which introduced 6 of the 11 current subspecies, following genetic research on the reptiles).
Isabela Island, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/400 sec. ISO-160 400mm
Swallow-Tailed Gull
8x10: $15
A common and conspicuous laughing gull in the Galapagos. This photo was taken aboard a scuba diving charter to Darwin and Wolf Islands, a few hundred miles north of the human-inhabited islands of the Galapagos.
Wolf Island, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/1000 sec. ISO-400 400mm
Mangrove Warbler (Setophaga petechia aureola)
8x10: $15
A Mangrove Warbler exploring some volcanic rocks. These birds are endemic to the Galapagos but can be found throughout the archipelago. They are a frequent species of research because of their relatively recent arrival (300,000 years) and low genetic divergence from their parent species, the Yellow Warbler (which can be found throughout the Americas).
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/500 sec. ISO-800 400mm
Great Egret
8x10: $15
Great Egret looking for (finding) snacks in the rain. This shot was particularly rewarding for me, because I had spent several hours in the early morning rain waiting for activity. At times I had to duck and cover in the mangroves during the storm, shielding my camera equipment as best I could. I scored only a few shots that day on Playa los Alemanes, and this one is by far my favorite.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/800 sec. ISO-640 400mm
Blue Footed Booby - Pooping!
8x10: $15
Perfect for your bathroom.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/250 sec. ISO-160 248mm
Blue Footed Booby - Feet
8x10: $15
Blue Footed Booby's iconic feet are the result of their diet and selective breeding. High concentrations of blue pigment can be found in their fishy diet. However, carotenoids typically boost immune system health, and are only concentrated in these birds' feet because of their courting rituals. Female birds will select males with bluer feet - signifying they are well fed and capable hunters.
North Seymour Island, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/4000 sec. ISO-320 400mm
Galapagos Mockingbird (Mimus parvulus parvulus)
8x10: $15
The Galapagos Mockingbird, endemic only to only some of the Galapagos Islands. Three other mockingbirds have speciated on Isla Floreana, Española, and San Cristóbal (after which they are named). Additionally, there are 6 subspecies of Mimus parvulus throughout the archipelago. Shown here is Mimus parvulus parvulus, the most common of them.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/500 sec. ISO-400
Small Tree Finch
8x10: $15
One of the famous Darwin’s Finches, the Small Tree Finch is a very common sight in all the Galapagos Islands. Though this particular bird has clear markings of its species, identification between small, medium, and large - for both ground and tree finches - can be difficult or impossible without clear photographs. Even then, it can be challenging.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/400 sec. ISO-3200 400mm
Green Warbler Finch
8x10: $15
A particularly round Green Warbler Finch.
Santa Cruz, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/400 sec. ISO-2500 400mm
Galapagos Penguin
8x10: $15
Galapagos Penguin. The second smallest penguin on Earth is also the only penguin that lives in both hemispheres! (it's the only penguin in the northern hemisphere, by barely 1 degree, but that counts)
Santiago Island, Galapagos - f/5.6 1/1250 sec. ISO-1250 400mm
Magnificent Frigate - With Chick
8x10: $15
An adult male Magnificent Frigate nesting with a chick. The chick is likely 2 months old, but will begin learning to fly within a few more months.
North Seymour Island, Galapagos - f/6.3 1/4000sec. ISO-1000 400mm