Greater Flamingo with Ruddy Turnstone (also in inset) (sz)

In the late afternoon, we took to the zodiacs again for a wet disembarkation at Punta Cormorant. The path led us out to a large brackish lagoon, which holds one of the biggest populations of flamingoes in Galapagos. The late afternoon light and misty rain created ever-shifting exquisite effects as flamingoes and other shore birds minced their way through these shallow waters, looking for supper.

Black-necked Stilt (in foreground and inset) with Flamingoes on the far edge of the inlet (sz)

After learning a great deal about flamingoes from Graciela, plus taking time to photograph this area, we started back towards the other trail. As we passed the beach again, we stopped to notice the sea lions out in the water along with sea urchin shells stranded on the beach.

Landing Beach (ps)

Galapagos Sea Lions (ps)

Next we headed up the trail that goes around the east side of the lagoon. About halfway is a viewpoint located on an old cinder cone. There we spotted a jewel-colored brackish pond surrounded by lush vegetation where one brilliant pink flamingo tantalized us by dipping up and down constantly, never letting us shoot a good photograph! As we continued on the cindery trail, we passed these trees spotted with brightly colored lichens.

Older Flamingo with a deeper pink (sz)

View of the lagoon (ps)

Lichens (ps)

And started down the other side...

Floreana (ps)

Floreana (ps)

Finally we emerged onto a small beach of white, fine coral and shell sand, a nesting site for the Pacific black sea turtle. Some of the nests showed signs of recent activity. The shallows were teeming with diamond stingrays.

Diamond (whiptail) stingrays (ps)

Turtle Nest (ps)

Floreana tuff cone (sz)

Flamingo Feeding and Preening

Can you see the other bird crossing behind the flamingo?

Day 6 --> Floreana - Punta Cormorant

Greater Flamingo with Ruddy Turnstone (also in inset) (sz)

Black-necked Stilt (in foreground and inset) with Flamingoes on the far edge of the inlet (sz)

Landing Beach (ps)

Galapagos Sea Lions (ps)

Older Flamingo with a deeper pink (sz)

View of the lagoon (ps)

Lichens (ps)

Floreana (ps)

Floreana (ps)

Diamond (whiptail) stingrays (ps)

Turtle Nest (ps)

Floreana tuff cone (sz)

Flamingo Feeding and Preening

INSTRUCTIONS:
Click on the title in the Playlist to the left to start the video.
Use the buttons for Rewind, Play, and Fast Forward.

Beach at Floreana (sz)

Whimbrel (sz)

Pencil Sea Urchins (sz)

Hermit Crab (ps)

Yellow flowers (ps)

Flamingo contortionist (ln)

Flamingo feeding (ln)

Day 6 --> Floreana - Punta Cormorant

Greater Flamingo with Ruddy Turnstone (also in inset) (sz)

Black-necked Stilt (in foreground and inset) with Flamingoes on the far edge of the inlet (sz)

Landing Beach (ps)

Galapagos Sea Lions (ps)

Older Flamingo with a deeper pink (sz)

View of the lagoon (ps)

Lichens (ps)

Floreana (ps)

Floreana (ps)

Diamond (whiptail) stingrays (ps)

Turtle Nest (ps)

Floreana tuff cone (sz)

Flamingo Feeding and Preening

INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the title in the Playlist to the left to start the video. Use the buttons for Rewind, Play, and Fast Forward.

Beach at Floreana (sz)

Whimbrel (sz)

Pencil Sea Urchins (sz)

Hermit Crab (ps)

Yellow flowers (ps)

Flamingo contortionist (ln)

Flamingo feeding (ln)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Click on the title in the Playlist to the left to start the video.
Use the buttons for Rewind, Play, and Fast Forward.