Since Blue-footed Boobies (Piquero Patas Azules) were so unusual to me (but rather common on most Galapagos Islands), I concentrated on shooting them on the ground and in the air. The boobies dive into the ocean for fish and accelerate as they near the water.

Most images were taken with Sony A9 (ILCE-9) and 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x extender. Others taken with Sony A7RIII (ICLE-7RM3) and 200-600mm lens.

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/400, 8, iso1000

Blue feet with reflected light on the feathers

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/2500, 8, iso2000

Head shot with an insect near the eye

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/2500, 8, iso2500

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1250, 8, iso6400

ILCE-7RM3, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, 1/800, 6.3, iso1600

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/400, 7.1, iso1250

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1000, 8, iso6400

ILCE-7RM3, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, 1/1000, 6.3, iso2000

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/2500, 8, iso2000

Hovering before the dive. Note the unusual feather position on the distal wing (or maybe it was just the odd angle of the shot).

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/640, 7.1, iso2500

Start of a dive

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/2500, 8, iso1000

About 1-2 feet from entering the water

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/2500, 8, iso2000

From another sequence, this Blue-footed Booby is inches from entering the water.

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1000, 8, iso6400

A preening Nazca Booby (Piquero de Nazca)

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1250, 8, iso1600

Sea lions are were almost as common as the Blue-footed Boobies. The first shot was taken at our first wet landing where a naturalist had written the date on the sand. In the background is the Celebrity Flora.

ILCE-7RM3, E Tamron17-28mm F2.8-2.8, 1/60, 18, iso100

We were lucky to come upon a pregnant sea lion in the act of giving birth. This shot was taken just a few minutes after the pup emerged. The attached umbilical cord can still be seen.

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/400, 6.3, iso4000

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/320, 8, iso640

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1250, 8, iso6400

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/800, 6.3, iso800

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/1000, 8, iso2500

Less commonly seen, a Galapagos fur seal. Taken from a bouncing Zodiac in rough water

ILCE-9, FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter, 1/640, 8, iso6400