No binoculars or telephoto lenses? No problem− if you’re in the Galapagos. Located 1,000 kilometres west of Ecuador, the archipelago requires all visitors to Galapagos National Park to use certified naturalists as guides. “Stay at least two metres away from wildlife,” advised our guide Ceci. “If birds or animals approach closer, don’t touch them. They’re not tame, just unafraid.” From that distance, you can still take awesome photos, even with smartphone cameras. Cute chicks October on Espanola Island is a perfect time for birdwatching, because adults and albatross chicks are in their nests. Albatrosses mate for life. Both parents incubate eggs and feed their chicks. Fuzzy brown albatross chicks, nearly as large as their parents, exercised their immature wings by flapping them in the air. “Albatross chicks have only six months to fledge and become strong enough to fly 2,000 kilometres round trip to the South American coast where they fish,” said Ceci. The cute red-footed booby chicks on Genovesa Island made us smile. The balls of white fluff filled twig nests in the trees. Their large black eyes curiously followed our movements. Red-footed booby chick Nesting adult albatrosses Photographing Galapagos birds from a two-metre distance Galapagos National Park certified guide points out bird to visitor Photographing blue-footed boobies from a two-metre distance 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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