Galapagos Day 8/Puerto Ayora: tortoises and landbirds

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This Galapagos Tortoise was photographed in soft, misty light with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D MIV. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/100 sec. at f/8. If you remain still these ancient animals will come completely out of their shells and show off their long necks.

Galapagos Day 8/July 13:Puerto Ayora: tortoises and landbirds

After our dry landing at Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the Galapagos, we boarded a bus for the 30 minute ride to the Primicias Ranch. I believe that this property is a combination of private and national park holdings. Located in the highlands, the rich habitat is attractive to large numbers of the large tortoises; as the animals are wild they are free to travel the highlands in search of the best grazing areas. They do move down towards the coast during the breeding season. In addition to the almost prehistoric reptiles, large numbers of landbirds can be found on the ranch many close to the cafe/visitor center, and many respond eagerly to spishing.

Juan shared his vast knowledge of the tortoise’s biology and ecology and I educated the group on the best manner of approaching them: low and slow. As is typical, the morning was misty with drizzle and provided ideal light for both the tortoise and passerine photography. After several hours of very good photography a short bus ride down the hill brought us to a spectacular lunch at Galapagos Magic. There were fewer tortoises than in 2009 but several group members ventured into the wet fields for some more photography. I napped peacefully in a hammock.

By about 3pm we were back in town. A few folks went back to the dock while most opted to call home from the cabina and a nice shopping walk in downtown Puerto Ayora. At the far end of town, I found a very nice upscale shop that contrasted mightily with the countless tourist-schlock t-shirt places. Some loverly palm nut carvings caught my eye but I did not bite. On the way back to the wharf Denise and I ran across the Whites and the Owens and chatted with them through the open window of a sidewalk cafe. I told them about the shop and we all returned. Jim and Linda and Sir Richard and Dot purchased many items including several large woven bowls that they had shipped home. And I would up buying five small carved ivory nut figurines: tropical fish for daughter/s Alissa and Jen, another for my younger sister Arna, a hummingbird array for my Mom, and an exquisite frigatebird for my own knick-knack shelf. Denise and I made it back to the ship but the others stayed on in a shopping frenzy and had to take a water taxi back to the Beagle. They arrived just in time for dinner.

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This male Small Ground Finch image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, a 25mm Extension tube, and the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/100 sec. at f/8. The 800’s new IS system is remarkable allowing those with good sharpness techniques to utilize ridiculously slow shutter speeds as long as the subject is motionless.

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This female Medium (?) Ground Finch image was created with the same rig as above. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6. You can learn about Darwin’s Finches and adaptive radiation here.

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Thanks to Denise Ippolito for the use of this image of a stretching immature Small Tree Finch. It was created on Puerto Ayora with the Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, a 25mm Extension tube, and the EOS-1D MIII. Denise located a small bare bush where several species of finches sat preening spot. She was soon joined by others in the group 🙂 Check out Denise’s blog, A Creative Adventure and be sure to scroll down to her well written July 22nd post, “My Galapagos Adventure.”

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This rain-bathing Groove-billed Ani was also photographed with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, a 25mm Extension tube, and the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/100 sec. at f/8.

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This singing male Galapagos Yellow Warbler was photographed with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, a 25mm Extension tube, and the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/125 sec. at f/9. Amazingly, this bird sat in the same spot for almost two full minutes, an eternity for a warbler.

Shopper’s Guide

Here is the gear that I (and Denise) used on Puerto Ayora that day:

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body
Canon EF Teleconverter 1.4X II
Canon EF 25mm Extension Tube

And from the BAA On-line Store:

Gitzo 3530 LS Tripod
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head

If you are considering the purchase of a major piece of photographic gear be it a new camera, a long lens, a tripod or a head, or some accessories be sure to check out our complete Shopper’s Guide