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Galapagos Islands-350-1
A Sally Lightfoot Crab on Espanola Island
Sally Lightfoot Crab
The crab Grapsus grapsus (known variously as "red rock
crab", "abuete negro", and, as "Sally
Lightfoot") is one of the most common crabs along the western
coast of South America. It can also be seen along the entire coast of
Central America and Mexico, and nearby islands. It is one of the many
charismatic species that inhabits the Galápagos Islands, and is often
seen in photos of the archipelago, sometimes sharing the seaside rocks
with the marine iguanas. The Sally Lightfoot is a typically-shaped
crab, with five pairs of legs, the front two bearing small, blocky,
symmetrical chelae. The other legs are broad and flat, with only the
tips touching the substrate. The crab's round, flat carapace is just
over 8 cm (3 inches) in length. Young Sally Lightfoot’s are black or
dark brown in color and camouflage well on the black lava coasts of
volcanic islands. Adults are quite variable in color. Some are muted
brownish-red, some mottled or spotted brown, pink, or yellow. Sally
Lightfoot crabs are thought to have been named for a sultry nightclub
dancer from Guayaquil, whose alluring performances in her red and
yellow dress, captivated 19th century sailors. This crab lives amongst
the rocks at the often turbulent, windy shore, just above the limit of
the seaspray. It feeds on algae primarily, sometimes sampling plant
matter and dead animals. It is a quick-moving and agile crab, and hard
to catch, but not considered very edible by humans. It is used as bait
by fishermen.
Espanola (Suarez Point)
Approximately a 10-12 hour trip from Santa Cruz, Española is the
oldest and the southernmost island in the chain. The trip across open
waters can be quite rough especially during August and September.
Española's remote location helped make it a unique jewel with a large
number of endemic creatures. Secluded from the other islands, wildlife
on Española adapted to the island's environment and natural resources.
The subspecies of Marine iguana from Española are the only ones that
change color during breeding season. 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. On Española adult marine iguanas are brightly colored with a
reddish tint except during mating season when their color changes to
more of a greenish shade. The Hood Mockingbird is also endemic to the
island. These brazen birds have no fear of man and frequently land on
visitors heads and shoulders searching for food. The Hood Mockingbird
is slightly larger than other mockingbirds found in the Galapagos; its
beak is longer and has a more curved shape. The Hood Mockingbird is
the only carnivorous one of the species feeding on a variety of
insects, turtle hatchlings and sea lion placentas. Wildlife is the
highlight of Española and the star of the show is the waved albatross.
The island's steep cliffs serve as the perfect runways for these large
birds which take off for their ocean feeding grounds near the mainland
of Ecuador and Peru abandoning the island between January and March.
Known as endemic to the island, Española is the waved albatross's only
nesting place. Each April the males return to Española followed
shortly thereafter by the females. Mating for life, their ritual
begins with the male's annual dance to re-attract his mate. The
performance can take up to 5 days consisting of a series of strutting,
honking, and beak fencing. Once the pair is reacquainted they produce
a single egg and share the responsibility of incubation. The colony
remains based on Española until December when the chick is fully
grown. By January most of the colony leaves the island to fish along
the Humboldt Current. Young albatross do not return to Española until
their 4th or 5th year when they return to seek a mate. Geographically
Española is a classic example of a shield volcano, created from a
single caldera in the center of the island. Over the years as the
island has moved further away from the hot spot, the volcano became
extinct and erosion began to occur. Española's two visitor sites offer
an exceptional island visit. Punta Suarez is one of the highlights of
the Galapagos Islands. The variety and quantity of wildlife assures a
memorable visit. Visitors find migrant, resident, and endemic wildlife
including brightly colored Marine Iguanas, Española Lava Lizards, Hood
Mockingbirds, Swallow Tailed Gulls, Blue Footed and Masked Boobies,
Galapagos Hawks, a selection of Finch, and the Waved Albatross.Found
on the western tip of Española, Punta Suarez offers great wildlife
such as sea lions, sea birds and the largest marine iguanas of
Galapagos. This is one of the best sites in the Galapagos. The amount
of wildlife is overwhelming. Along the beach there are many sea lions
and large, colorful lava lizards and marine iguanas. As you follow the
trail to the cliff's edge masked boobies can be found nesting among
the rock formations. After a short walk down to a beach and back up
the other side blue-footed boobies are seen nesting just off the
trail. The Galapagos Dove and very friendly Hood Mockingbird are
commonly found in this area. The nearby bushes are frequently home to
the large-cactus finch, warbler finch, small-ground finch and
large-billed flycatcher. Continuing down the trail you come to the
only place where waved albatross nest in the islands. Some 12,000
pairs nest on Española each year. The feeling is very dramatic and it
seems like a desolate wilderness as the waves crash on the jagged
cliffs below and the blowhole shoots water 50-70 feet/15-30 meters
into the air. The sky above is full of sea birds including red-billed
tropicbirds, American Oystercatchers, swallow-tailed gulls, and
Audubon's Shearwaters.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands (official name: Archipiélago de Colón; other
Spanish names: Islas de Colón or Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago
of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific
Ocean, some 900 km west of Ecuador. It is a UNESCO World Heritage
site: wildlife is its most notable feature. Because of the only very
recent arrival of man the majority of the wildlife has no fear of
humans and will allow visitors to walk right up them, often having to
step over Iguanas or Sea Lions.The Galápagos islands and its
surrounding waters are part of a province, a national park, and a
biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is
Spanish. The islands have a population of around 40,000, which is a
40-fold expansion in 50 years. The islands are geologically young and
famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by
Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and
collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural selection.
Comments and faves
octron1981, vgh.media, Photonoumi, darwinsbulldog, and 116 other people added this photo to their favorites.
octron1981 (34 months ago | reply)
Is that the nature Color auf this Animal?
Very nice Shot!
Leticia Florencio (34 months ago | reply)
Uooowww..belíssima foto *----*
tempo e luz (34 months ago | reply)
Excelente imagen
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Bart's Dad (34 months ago | reply)
Wow!
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red_naxela (34 months ago | reply)
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Bonnieg2010 (34 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
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ismith2808 (34 months ago | reply)
I saw this wonderful photo in HIDDEN TREASURE GROUP
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Stunning colour. Excellent.
Orange Leaf (34 months ago | reply)
excellent shot
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This photo is a good sample in the flickr. It is awarded the flickr Award!
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Esta brillante foto merece un Nikon-flickr-Award
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foxylady's stardust (34 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ***FLICKRPEDIA*** House of Knowledge/Icon Winner, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
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Heart awards standard COMMENT CODE:
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dagmaf (34 months ago | reply)
Amazing shot...like the colours
Evi23 [deleted] (34 months ago | reply)
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Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Galeria de Imagems Post 3 - Coment 3, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
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Marcelo Espinosa (34 months ago | reply)
I saw this wonderful photo in HIDDEN TREASURE GROUP
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robalh (34 months ago | reply)
That's a cool looking shot.
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Gorgeus colors!
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toinie (34 months ago | reply)
This is a piece of art!
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This is a piece of art!
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pmckoy (34 months ago | reply)
This is a stunning image, congratulations!
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© BKD Photography (34 months ago | reply)
Cool crab.
Never seen one so colorful.
WOW, this photo is AMAZING!
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Soleil is me. (34 months ago | reply)
Bravo! Greet from Bangkok...
Such the beautiful artwork from you! Feel free to join my group:)
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Seen in:
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quintard david (34 months ago | reply)
very beautiful photo