Galapolas Tortus

side and finally stopped at a small lodge/restaurant to photograph the largest hummingbird, but also got some shots of the Condor nests way across the valley. As we continued up, there were places to pull out and photo the Condors. As we made our way up the mountain we stopped many times to photograph birds. It took 5 1/2 hours to get to the top , but only 2 1/2 to get back including all the traffic.

Hope to link photo galleries to these posts soon.

Off to the airport at 7:30pm

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San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve

Posted on 10/28/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Tuesday, Oct 25

Today we had breakfast at 07:00 and left shortly after. We took the same route as yesterday as far as the paved road and then turned left.

The route thru the mountains is that dirt road that Yesterday was in the clouds and foggy…..

today the sun was out so we could look for some birds. This lodge is down about 3700 ft and in a very wet area. When we arrived it was mist and fog.

The room is great, a suite it says, has a sliding doors out to a patio with hammocks..and overlooks a big canyon, but there is so much foliage you can not really see the bottom.

The restaurant area and birding watching is again all open air..lots of birds…but we are in a sub tropical rain forest…so it’s wet. The rooms have a small box with a heater in them to dry out your camera.

There are lots of birds in the trees so Jayne was busy .

We missed the 3:00 walk somehow, and there was not a lot of Bird to photograph so we went back to the room and took it easy until dinner at 7:00

Wednesday, Oct 26

Woke up at 05:30 and the sun was out. No rain or fog..

Beautiful day.

After breakfast we took a walk looking for all kinds of birds. I guess from the guide , we found a bird that’s unusual….that’s all I know

Thursday, Oct 27

We had breakfast at 06:00 and left shortly after that for a reserve about 2 hours away. There were took a short walk to the top of a hill where they had a feeding station.

There was a girl there who put bananas at the various station and Miguel must know her well as she stayed with us and keep the bananas flowing. The birds are incredible colorful. You will see when pictures arrive. After an hour Miguel and the other lady wanted to walk down the road to a second feeding station, Jayne and I decided to stay as neither of us recalled wanted any more long walks.

After about an hour we got restless and headed back toward the road only to meet Miguel running back yelling pigmy owl ….we jumped into the van and drove to the second feeding station as fast as that van would go..about 1/2 mile …and sure enough..we got to see and photograph that cute little owl. Poor Miguel had run all the way back to get us.

The reason I can not post photos yet as they are in the camera and those that are copied to the laptop are in RAW format, so I have to wait until Jayne gets them processed. Some are taken with the iPhone, like the one above, and I can use those.

We finally ended up at the San Jorge Quito lodge, the place we started at last Monday, about 4:30. Yes we have a room down off the hill so we do not have that hike and it is a great room with a big fireplace.

We will stay here tonight and take a drive up to a park at about 12,000 feet early in the morning to see the condors and who knows what else. When we return in the afternoon we will pack and head to the airport to catch our 11:30 pm flight to Dallas..

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On to San Jorge

Posted on 10/28/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Thursday, Oct 20..

Yesterday was a rest day, or I thought it was. We are staying in the Hotel Quito in between the Galapagos and the San Jorge reserve trips.

Unknown to us the UN is having its Habitat III gathering here in Quito, so lots of security. This hotel is having the closing cocktail tonight at 16:30. We were up in the restaurant, 7th floor, when the fire works started…right at eye level.

I said a relaxing ,day….well a Jayne wanted to walk down to this church we passed in the taxi this morning. It’s not far, 4 to 6 blocks…straight down. Going down was not to bad, but coming back up..well we’re we’re about half way and I think our legs etc said that enough. Remember we are at 6000 ft. Thanks to the Taxi driver who was able to stop and get us back to the hotel.

San Jorge/Quito (8000 ft)

The driver picked us us around 10:00 in an old Chev 4 door pickup.

It took about 45 minutes to get to the lodge. The last mile I started to wonder what we got ourselves into. The road, maybe path is a better name, was nothing but one big rut, about a mile of it. Our room is up on top of a ridge looking down on rest of the compound. The problem us the dining room etc is down a path that’s again almost straight down.

Going down is ok, but coming up…no no no…we are at 10,400 ft now and I feel it.

Lots of humming birds at the feeders…yes the feeders are are down there…

Today is a be on you own so Jayne is taking it easy. This room is cold. Who would ever thing that on the Equator it cold. I am cold!

The power is out! The little space heater that is in the room is big enough to heat a very small 3×3 room maybe…oh well..we will see…

Well …they moved us down to a smaller room that had a small wood burning fireplace in it for the night. That was going to help, but then the power came back on. Jayne was not feeling good so I went to dinner alone and she got in bed…I do not think either of us slept very well.

Friday, Oct 21

Today the sun is out and we are shooting, pictures, of hummingbirds.

There is a patio with lots of feeders and a Guide assigned to our group. I guess others on the same schedule are put together for the activities. Our group is only 3, the two of us and an older single woman.

Most of the morning was shooting humming birds and a short walk around the premises. After lunch we loaded into a old van for a 1 hour drive across Quito , in traffic, to a reserve called Jerusalem. We walked around, but not sure we saw anything really worth the drive. The drive back was in rush hour traffic so we got back just before dark. I had the guide drop us off up top so we did not have that terrible climb, but assumed they would leave the key there also when they moved us back to that upper room. We could not stay down below because they had another group coming. Well…no key..so down I went to find someone and back up to let us in our room , then back down for dinner and back up again…NO MORE.

Saturday Oct 22

Breakfast was at 06:00 as we were to meet a new guide, Miguel who stays with us all week, to take us to the next lodge for 3 nights. Down the long windy path luging our stuff. We left one big case with all the stuff we do nit need for the next 5 days as we come back here for one more night before we are taken to the airport.

I made it clear when we return that we wanted a room down below…we will see…

San Jorge/Tandayapa (5600 ft)

We departed about 6:30 with our new guide and are taking the Yanacocha old road. Well that was worth the trip! The road is more like a washed out cow path winding up the mountains , 11,500 ft I measured.

As we worked our way along this road, our guide would stop and we would photograph differed birds. Jayne has to put a gallery of photos together as there was just to much to see.

About 6 hours later we arrived at Tandayapa. Again windy rut road up to this lodge, but this place is great. Our view from our room is outstanding and the room is 1st class! We had the room on the top floor end room

The next morning, Sunday, we arrived at the breakfast patio, all meals are outside, at 6:15 to photo all the birds around. Again Jayne has to put a gallery together.

Breakfast at 08:00 and then a walk in the jungle and up the mountain.

Jayne took a small nap and I stayed on the patio and watched the humming birds and a few very colorful ones. Lunch was at 1:00 and then another walk at 3:00. This time we saw a Queczal….ok what’s that you say well …..a photo soon …

Monday Oct 24th

Same routine as yesterday, but after breakfast our guide ask if we wanted to take a ride to see more humming birds at a friends place. Off we went..

The road was again a narrow rock strewn path. As you can see on the map we did come back partly on a paved road. Miguel suddenly stoped the van and we jumped out to see a….Cock of the Rock…..Everyone was excited so it must be special…I’ll get a photo posted here soon…

We arrived at the place and the The place was amazing! Hummingbirds and more hummingbirds…all kinds…

Photos to come

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Black Turtle Lagoon

Posted on 10/27/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Tuesday, Oct 18

Ponga ride at 06:00 to the black turtle Lagoon to see all kinds of stuff, Blue footed Boobies, Lava Herons and turtles. The tide was going out and the white tipped sharks were leaving the mangroves in mass.

Back at the boat at 07:30 for breakfast and then loaded into the ponga for our final trip to the dock to board our bus to the airport where the hurry up and wait starts.

Back at our hotel, near the airport in Quito, we had a farewell dinner…

some left after dinner and others the next day. We were to get a taxi in the morning to the hotel Quito for a day of rest..

Note…will update this when I have access to photos

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ISLA SANTIAGO / BARTOLOMÉ

Posted on 10/25/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Monday, Oct 17

When we awoke and looked out….

Up at 5:30 again..breakfast at 6:00 and on to the pangas at 6:30 for a morning ride along the volcanic formations to see the penguins. These are the northern most penguins, small but with the white tux on..

The Island’s Pinnacle Rock is an icon of the Galapagos landscape.

Some went hiking on Santiago to visit the incredible volcanic formations from a eruption just over 100 years ago. We did not go, the Landing point was not something my or Jaynes knees would enjoy…the sea was ruff and the ponga was just to unstable..

The weather has been great, very overcast in the AM, cool ,but the sun comes out around noon. I thought it would be much HOTTER.

Later in the afternoon we headed to the base of Pinnacle Rock for a hike to the top….a long board walk and the 370+ steps to the top.. wind at the top was at least 40 kn…

For those who saw the movie Master snd Commander, this is where the doctor climbed up and saw the French fleet on the other side of the island

Got to say..it was a long walk up…

and then back to the boat for a farewell drink and dinner ..

Tomorrow….back to Quito..

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FLOREANA Island

Posted on 10/19/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Sunday, Oct 16

Last nights cruise from Esponola was very, very rock and roll. So much so, that we tried to hold on to each other in one bed…that did not work to well either.

Breakfast at 06:00 and on the ponga at 06:30 for the Green beach.

I think it should be gold beach as there was more of a gold tone than green.

Short walk to a lagoon where we found Flamingos! Again Jayne got lots of photos…

we continued on to another beach where there were lots of ghost crab designs…and a big Turtle track..

After the walk, the next event was to stop at this islet and take the ponga around to look for a special Mockingbird. You are not allowed on the islet…Jayne and I decided to remain on the boat.

Sitting up front we could see the group on the ponga, but then the Captain started to move the boat and positioned the bow about 20 yards from the rocks and moved the boat sideways all along the shoreline clear around the point in the above photo. Wow..we had a ring side seat. Jayne again got some neat photos.

Off to the Post Office……

Way back in the time of the whaling ships, the sailors would drop letters in a barrel to be picked up by sailors heading the opposite direction and hand delivered to the waiting spouse.

This spot is the old location of the post office…

Anyway, we were to put post cards in the barrel and sort the ones there to see if we could deliver any. None for the San Juans..I looked..

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ESPAÑOLA

Posted on 10/19/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Saturday, Oct 15
The only nesting area of the endemic Waved Albatross! Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies nest along the trails. Warbler finches and Large Cactus Finches flit among Sea lions and Marine Iguanas.

The morning started slower today, breakfast at 6:30 and boarding the ponga’s at 07:00 for A few hours on this big beach. We were greeted with several mocking birds who want water…they are not afraid at all and climb all over you looking for water.

There is no water on this Island and these Mockingbirds depend on rain or the morning dew, but have learned to get it from tourist who ARE NOT supposed to give it to them. One guy ( not me) in our group got called out for sneaking some to a bird or two.

There were a bunch of sea lions on the beach…just walk up to them. Again, Jayne got lot and lots of photos. We also found what must be a small whale ..

After lunch we again hit the trail only this time it was ROCK AND MORE ROCKS. The trail was nothing more than a bunch of volcanic rocks you made your way thru. Probably a mile or more to the top of a cliff where the Albatross nest and fly off the cliff. Jayne got several great shots and video of the Albatross doing there mating or good-by dance. Several baby Albatross along the trail on the way up.

A hard walk, but worth it!

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Friday the 14th

Posted on 10/19/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Sometime around 1 am the engines woke me and we were getting underway. Lots of rolling it seemed. This morning we awoke with the boat drifting in front of these big rocks.

Kicker Rock..( Leon Dormido ).

This was a snorkeling stop for those who wanted to snorkel thru the big split. The boat made several circles around so Jayne got many photos that I hope end up in a slide show…. No, We did not go snorkeling…..

Just after lunch, we pulled into CRISTÓBAL, a small town of about 3000 and very much a town supported with tourism. We boarded a bus for a ride to the San Cristobal variety of saddle-backed Giant Tortoises.

Photo to come….

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Iguanas and Sea Lions

Posted on 10/19/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Thursday, Oct 13

We awoke anchored in a cut between two islands close to South Plaza Island, our first venture for the day..Yes..breakfast at 06:00 and on our way at 06:30

Landing was at some steps onto this small island covered with white rocks…you can guess what the white is..we were greeted by a bunch of Iguanas and Sea Lyons..

We got back to the boat about 11:00 and headed for Santa Fe Island, about a 2 hour cruise.

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Birds..Birds and more Birds

Posted on 10/18/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Wednesday, Oct 12

After motoring most of the night we’d arrived at Genovesa small island way North known as the Bird island. Up at 05:30 breakfast at 06:00 and on our way to the island at 06:30.. it was a wet landing so that means our feet will get wet at least.

I must say, that after seeing the other cruise boats closer, We are glad we are on this one. The cabins are clean, nice and the width of the boat, so you get a nice cross breeze….it seems the larger boats are enclosed and air conditioned. Ours has air conditioning also, but this time of year…we do not need it. Also we only have 8 cabins…16 people total.

The landing was on a sand beach and was uneventful, but the Red-footed Boobies were there to great us. All kinds of birds that I am sure Jayne will post somehow.

The late afternoon outing was a dry landing on some steps that lead you up to the top of the plateau….

The steps were carved out of the lava and nowhere even, but we made it….Again the Red-footed Boobies were all over, but the objective was to see, and photograph, the Short-eared Owls who only come out in the evening to feed….

The path up to the Owls..

After dinner, the usual get to gather for a preview of the next day as the boat gets underway.

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To the Galapagos

Posted on 10/18/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Tuesday , Oct 11

Up at 03:30 so we can catch the bus to the airport at 04:30.

Lots of paperwork I guess but Kevin, our photo leader, had it all arranged. After the customs and paperwork cha-cha we had about 40 minutes to wait until boarding

As we landed in the Galapolas I felt we’re were landing in the Arazona desert. Flat, sand, cactus ….

Again the paperwork cha-cha..only this time $100 each entrance fee.

We loaded on to a bus for the 15 minute drive to the marina and when We arrived there were 3 boats swinging at anchor. One had a slight list to STB ..that was ours..

After were were assigned our cabins and lunch, which was very very good, we motored to an anchorage on Santa Cruz, boarded a bus and headed to a private reserve for the Tortoise.

Back at the boat in time for dinner at 7 and then a review of tomorrow.

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Right on the Equator…

Posted on 10/10/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

We arrived late last night ,or should I say thus morning…about 12:30am..right to bed.

Today we took a city tour of Old Quito…really something…

Quito is at about 7500 ft and in a long valley with nothing but windy roads. Most of shops were closed, it’s Sunday, but still interesting. The Churches are beyond belief …gold gold gold.

Quito is also right on the Equator..we were driving and I noted we were South…then we came to the big 000 as we headed North..

And YES …the water swirls clockwise on the South Side….

The place we had lunch solved this girl/boy bathroom problem…

Just as a reminder..if you tap on that WHERE WE ARE button you will get a map showing our tracks…use the adjustment tab to select the time frame and zoom in to see greater detail…

Monday…Oct 10

PAPALLACTA PASS AND GUANGO LODGE

Well we took our first birding trip East over the mountain , 13,000 ft to a small lodge to take hummingbird photos.

Jaynes is having fun…not sure about the lady beside her..

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On our Way..

Posted on 10/09/2016 by Larry Hemmerich

Eleven years ago this month hurricane Wilma ripped thru FL and and KnottyDog I was there. Here is that story.

http://test.knottydog.com/kd2005/WILMA.htm

Today, October 7 were are seeing another Hurricane turn up the East coast just as we are heading for the Galapagos. Got an email from the leader hoping those that were making connections thru Miami would make it….were are going via Dallas.

Jaynes been fussing about Her camera stuff making sure She takes the right stuff..who’s going to carry all that?

The flight to Seattle was smooth and the Kenmore driver dropped us at the Hilton were we had a great dinner. Tomorrow on to Qutio with a plane change in Dallas.

Had a great dinner at the Hilton