Brown Pelican - Taking a Break from Fishing in the Galapagos
Pelicans are fascinating birds to watch when they are feeding. Especially the Brown Pelican, which is unique from all the other, larger Pelican species.
Brown Pelican - Looking for a Meal in the Galapagos
While the other seven Pelican species usually feed by pushing schools of fish into shallows waters and scooping them up, the Brown Pelican dives for fish, similar to other birds in the Galapagos, such as the Blue-Footed Booby.
Brown Pelican - Diving for Fish in the Galapagos, a Unique trait to this Species
Watching them hunt for their meals a real treat and I was lucky enough to snap these photos of a Brown Pelican that was diving for fish underwater off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.
Wewurukannala Vihara Temple in Dikwella, Sri Lanka
So I have no idea how to pronounce the name of this temple in Sri Lanka, but it was one of those pleasant, random surprises. Stopping in Dikwella broke up a long day of driving, but it was actually quite an impressive place.
Towards the back of this photo you can see the largest seated Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. If you want – you can climb to a platform behind Buddha’s head too.
A Midland Painted Turtle Basking in the Sun at Point Pelee National Park, Canada
Hello turtle! This painted turtle is known as the Midland Painted Turtle subspecies. It can be found throughout the southern parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada, as well as many states in the US, ranging as far south as Tennessee.
There are four subspecies of painted turtles and these are the most subtle when it comes to coloured markings or being able to identify them. The ‘painted’ name comes from their red/orange or yellow markings on their shells.
This is a freshwater turtle that likes quiet, calm waters. This particular Midland Painted Turtle was photographed at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, the southernmost part of Canada.
A holy pilgrimage site, Adams Peak (or Sri Pada) in Sri Lanka is a sacred mountain. Atop this mountain is a small temple housing what many people believe to be the footprint of Buddha.
I saved the 5200 stair trek up the mountain for my last day in the country. Getting up in the darkness of the middle of the night, the slow, heart-pumping effort was worth it to see the sun rise over Sri Lanka.
For a short time, the sun pierces the top of the temple, creating this pyramid-like shadow across the cloud-covered forest and land below. I thought the prayer flags added a special element to the meaning of the photo.
A Hood Mockingbird, or Espanola Mockingbird, in the Galapagos Islands
This mean looking guy got his picture taken not because I thought he looked cool, but because he was being aggressive.
Called a Hood Mockingbird, or Española Mockingbird (as they’re on found on Espanola Island), they have no fear of people and are happy to fly by and harass you! They’re one of the Galapagos bird species that will attack if you have an open container of water, even if you’re taking a sip from your water bottle!
One of four mockingbird species in the Galapagos, the Espanola Mockingbird is listed as a vulnerable species. Interestingly, this is the only mockingbird species that Charles Darwin failed to see or capture during his time on the islands.
