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Galapagos 2022 Tom Bol Photo Workshops - Trip Report

We started our workshop in Quito, Ecuador with a day of exploration, chocolate tasting, portrait shooting and even a cooking class. After a short flight to the island of Baltra we boarded the Mary Anne - a 212 ft three masted sailing ship. For several of us, just being on the boat was a highlight of the trip.

The main square in Quito, Ecuador
The Mary Anne - photographed from a Zodiac while under sail
Sister power to get those sails hoisted!

Black Turtle Bay

Our first wildlife shoot put us close to Pacific Green Turtles, smooth-billed anis and a showcase of egrets. We photographed from two zodiacs and learned how productive the mangrove estuaries are at dusk.

A recently introduced species in the Galapagos

Genevose Island

This is known as the "Bird Island" and it did not disappoint. We were able to walk right up to Swallow-Tailed Gulls, Red-Footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds. Chicks are abundant this time of year and completely unafraid of photographers.

Kathy, all smiles on Genovese
Red-Footed Booby
Courting Swallow-Tailed Gulls from eye level on the ground

Sombrero Chino Island

We were all excited to photograph the endemic Galapagos Penguin. We saw them from our zodiacs on land and then were delighted to have them jump in the water with us while snorkeling.

With so many animals in and near the ocean, we took our group snorkeling most days to continue photoshoots underwater. Tom used a Outex housing with his Nikon z7ii to capture playful underwater sealions.

An endemic Galapagos Penguin
Sherry in her element. Photo by Dianne Biddison
With the Nikon Z7ii

Bartholome island

Bartolome is the isalnd with the iconic landscape from the Galapagos. We hiked up to the top of the hill on boardwalks and were rewarded with close encounters with the endemic Galapagos Hawk.

Board walks through endemic plants
Carolyn shows off her magic powers
Linda on hawk watch

Isla Rapida

Rabida Island with it's beautiful red sands, was the perfect place to showcase sealions. This species was also a highlight for many as we watched their playful antics and saw pups that were less than a day old. By getting down to eye level to photograph in soft sand, we were able to capture their personalities.

Rabida Island

For the first time in many years, flamingos were nesting on Rabida Island. We photographed them in flight and in courtship display. American Oystercatchers with chicks also put on a show for our group on the nearby red sand beach,

All long lenses for Patricio
American Oystercatcher antics

Santa Cruz Island

We traveled inland to photograph the Giant Land Tortoise in the lush highlands. Weighing in at over 500 pounds, we learned that these land reptiles were used by Steven Spielberg as the model for E.T. in his hit movie

Hard not to see E.T. now!

Santa Fe Island

Land and Marine Iguanas are all over the Galapagos. We loved photographing the marine iguanas (black color) in the bright red Sesuvium plant.

Green and red "Christmas Iguana"
Land Iguana

Espanola Island

Our final stop on Espanola Island was full of exotic birds to photograph: courting Waved Albatross, Red-billed Tropicbirds in flight and the striking Nazca Booby.

Nazca Booby shot with a 800mm lens
Courting Albatross - the largest breeding bird in the Galapagos

Special thanks to Marcelo and Elsa at Patagonia Travel Adventures for all the trip logistics!

Patagonian in the Galapagos!

Thanks for reading our trip report! Check us out at www.tombolphotoworkshops.com

Created By
Cree Bol
Appreciate

Credits:

Tom Bol, Cree Bol, Dianne Biddison