Photo Essay: The Amazing Galapagos Islands

The flora on the Galapagos Islands is just as fascinating as the fauna. Photo by Melanie Votaw.

There is nowhere in the world like the Galapagos Islands, and they are best experienced via a small yacht cruise. The Ecuadoran government monitors how many visitors can go to each island, which helps to protect what many call “a natural zoo.”

This is because the animals on the islands have no predators, which makes them very trusting of humans. While you are advised to stay at least a few feet away from animals, you will see from my photos that they often come close to you. Below are some of my favorite photos from my experience in this amazing and remote place on our planet.

A zodiac full of yacht passengers with a pelican overhead. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A member of our party photographs a frigatebird. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A member of our party photographs a friendly Espaniola mockingbird. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A frigatebird chick. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A frigatebird. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A male frigatebird expanding his famous red throat. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A land iguana. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A marine iguana. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
There were many newborn sea lions when I was there. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
An albatross chick. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A Nazca booby and chick. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Red crabs on the volcanic rock of the Galapagos. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The famous finches of the Galapagos hang out at the Baltra island airport, trying to eat leftovers. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A scene in the Galapagos. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
A Galapagos hawk. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
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Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.

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