Sea Lions - not Seals!!

One of the animals that was very prolific on the islands of Galapagos was the sea lion....while they do look like their cousin the seal...there are differences in ears....fins....and ability to move that the sea lion has that the seal does not.  There were no seals in the Galapagos...I also did not see any Walrus...but sea lions of all ages...from a new born (within the hour that we hit the beach one morning....)

My favorite was this little guy....not much older....curled in a ball...I wanted so bad to cuddle him - but you are not allowed to touch them...feed them...only observe them...they were so beautiful like this little guy....

Each day the females go out to feed....and one female is left with all the pups....she is in charge...and if you get too close she will let you know with a shrill bark...she also will only allow those she is responsible for to be in her group...keeping others at bay....The sea lions in this photo are more than likely all under 2 years...

The pups spend the day sleeping or playing in small pools of water but never going into the ocean.....

The older sea lions spend the day laying in the sun...enjoying the warmth of the beach.....

I just love their expressive face and eyes....

While it may look like so far is that most of the islands are sand and beach.  Not true....as I found on Bartolome Island where lava flowed over the area in 1897....making for some interesting shapes....

Also...it is not all sea lions....take a look at these colorful guys....the crabs....found on the island Florena

and also at Lobos/Dormido and Punta Pitt Islands....

Photo of the day?  Sure...this is the man who was out there in the Panga boat from morning to night...shuttling us from boat to shore and back....always with a great smile...