Galapagos Hawk

Galapagos Hawk

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Galapagos Hawks are the only original predator in the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos Hawks are known to have inhabited the islands for over 300,000 years and are known for their lack towards humans.

Similar in size to the redtail hawk, the Galapagos Hawk lives mainly on insects such as locusts and giant centipedes, as well as small lava lizards, snakes and rodents. It is not uncommon for it to take young marine and land iguanas, and sea turtle and tortoise hatchlings. This predator has also been spotted near nesting areas of Swallow-tailed Gulls, where it steals eggs as well as young. Even extremely rancid carrion is picked apart by their sharp, forceful beaks.

Though the exact number is not known there are believed to be only around 150 mating pairs in existence today.  The best places to see Galapagos Hawks are Espanola, Santa Fe, Isabela, Bartolome, Santiago and Genovesa. 

100th Anniversary of the Rediscovery of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu the Legendary Lost City of the Incas

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the re-discovery of Machu Picchu.  Known as the Lost City of the Incas, this remarkable site was constructed in approximately 1450 by the Incas during the height of their reign and abandoned approximately 100 years later.

Since the citadel had been abandoned at the time the Spanish Arrived its existence remained unknown to the outside world.  Bingham a lecturer with Yale University had traveled to South America for the First American Scientific Conference in Santiago, Chile in 1908.  While there he was convinced to travel to Peru and view one of its fabulous Inca sites.

Bingham became captivated with the idea of discovering unexplored Inca Cities and returned to Peru several times of the next few years.  During the summer of 2011 Bingham returned again with the Yale Peruvian Expedition in search of Vilcambaba the last refuge of the Incas. However instead, on July 24, 1911, an 11 year old child Pablito Alvarez took Bingham to an area where he frequently played – which was Machu Picchu.

Today Machu Picchu is a major tourist site in South America.  Though now there is dispute over if the site was ever lost, or who first rediscovered the site it is Hiram Bingham who is credited for bringing Machu Picchu to the world’s attention.

Española Marine Iguanas

Male Española Marine Iguana

The Galapagos Islands are home to the only sea going iguana in the world - the Galapagos Marine Iguana.  These  new world lizards live on the black rocks of the islands coast and feed on algae and sea weed. 

Normally, marine iguanas are black in color, a camouflage, making it difficult for predators to differentiate between the iguanas and the black lava rocks where they live. Due to its remote location many of the animals like many animals on Española the iguanas here evolved differently than iguanas on other isalnds.  Adult male Española Marine Iguanas are brightly colored with a reddish tint except during mating season when their color changes to more of a greenish shade.  The best time of year to see these Christmas colored iguanas is between  December and February.

Galapagos Tortoises Return to the Highlands of Santa Cruz

Galapagos Tortoise in Santa Cruz Highlands by int_enter

Galapagos Tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise in the world with weights up to 900 pounds and lengths of 6 feet.  The are 15 recognized subspecies of tortoises in the Galapagos Islands  11 of which are still in existence. 
For most visitors the best chance they have to see the gentle giants in the wild is in the highlands of Santa Cruz.  Each year in the rainy season female tortoises make the trek up the island to reach the highlands.  They spend several months here feeding on the lush green plants, enjoying the cool muddy waters.  It is here in the highlands that the tortoises mate - peak mating season is from February to July.   Once pregnant the females trek back down to the sandy coast to lay their eggs.
This time of year there are hundreds of tortoises in the Santa Cruz Highlands.  You can frequently see tortoises crossing the main road to Baltra as well as by visiting one of the tortoise reserves.