Wonder of Nature: Galapagos Islands

A squirming baby sea lion (less than 6 weeks old) on the beach of Espanola Island. Sadly, the beautiful Galapagos Island which are rich with diverse wildlife has battled with human beasts as a huge threat. In 2008, Galapagos National Park officials announced that 53 sea lions (13 pups, 25 youngsters, 9 males and 6 females) were killed at Pinta, Galapagos Islands nature reserve, with their heads caved in. In 2001, poachers killed 35 male sea lions.Photo #1 by sly06 Galapagos Island Sunset. Photo #2 by Eric Schmuttenmaer Land Iguana at the Darwin Center, Galapagos. Photo #3 by Linda Paul Red Sally lightfoot crab – Islas Plazas – Galapagos Islands. Photo #4 by Mark Rowland Galapagos Blowhole. Photo #5 by Linda Paul Galapagos – Puerto Villamil. Photo #6 by alh1 Galapagos tortoises mating. Photo #7 by Hamburgerin This beautiful creature referred to as 'dandelion' was discovered by geologists during a 1977 expedition. Scientists now know that it is a siphonophore, a relative of the Portuguese man-of-war. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program Animals living near hydrothermal vents have to survive under harsh conditions like high pressure, steep temperature gradients, and high concentrations of toxic chemicals. Despite these seemingly inhospitable conditions, many animals do more than simply survive. They thrive. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Galapagos Rift Expedition 2011.Photo #8 by NOAA, Ocean Explorer Galapagos flamingoes. Photo #9 by alh1 San Christo Kicker Rock. Photo #10 by Mike Comber Giant Galapagos Tortoises. Photo #11 by cliff1066™ Diamond stingray (Dasyatis dipterura) in the Galapagos. Photo #12 by Rein Ketelaars from Nijmegen, Netherlands Marine iguanas on Galapagos Islands. Photo #13 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps Ecuador, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands. Photo #14 by Rosalind Cohen, NODC, NOAA Young eagle – Urbina Bay – Isabela Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #15 by Mark Rowland Darwin's Arch, Galapagos. Photo #16 by refractor Galapagos napping seal and crab. Photo #17 by kylemac Mano, Galapagos Shark. In July 2011, Ecuadorean authorities seized 357 dead sharks from a boat that was fishing illegally in the protected waters of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Photo #18 by NOAA This is the first island that Charles Darwin explored during his adventure on The Beagle in 1835. Photo #19 by Linda Paul Sea Lions Kissing. Photo #20 by Linda Paul Red lava in the early morning light. Photo #21 by alh1 The photographer wrote, "This male sea lion came right up to my mask in a threat display when I swam too close to this spot when snorkeling." Photo #22 by alh1 Marine Iguanas – Suarez Point – Espanola Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #23 by Mark Rowland Waterfall near Jatun Sacha, San Cristóbal, Galapagos, Ecuador. Photo #24 by fabulousfabs Sea Lions – Gardner Bay – Espanola Island – Galapagos Islands. Photo #25 by Mark Rowland Swallow-tailed gulls – Islas Plazas – Galapagos Islands. Photo #26 by Mark Rowland Galapagos Islands Crab taken for Marine Debris Photo Album. Photo #27 by NOAA Ecuador, Galapagos Islands – An interesting rock formation and sealions at James Bay, Santiago Island. Photo #28 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps Sea Lions on Galapagos Islands. Photo #29 by Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim Penguins on rocks of Galapagos Islands. Photo #30 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps Galapagos Islands 2010. Photo #31 by cdorobek Marine iguana on rocks of Galapagos Islands. Photo #32 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps Galapagos iguana. Photo #33 by NASA Earth Observatory Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador. Photo #34 by fabulousfabs Wonder why they're called blue-footed boobies? Photo #35 by Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps Sailing toward the Galapagos Islands. Photo #36 by cdorobek