Plaza Isletas — Plaza Sur (South Plaza Islet)

Land Iguanas can grow as long as 3 feet, but the Land Iguanas on Plaza Sur are among the smallest subspecies in the archipelago. (Hard to believe, since they’re hardly all that small.) They reach sexual maturity around age 12 and can live as long as 60 years. Most of these iguanas are some variation of dull yellow/ocher. However, the western island of Isabela has pink iguanas that have recently been determined to be a separate species. They seem to wear permanent smiles and look a tad dim-witted because of their slow, lumbering movements. Yet once they warm up, they can move surprisingly quickly. They eat primarily pads (spines and all) and fruit of the Opuntia (which explains why these Opuntia have evolved into trees); the iguanas lie around the cactus waiting for either to drop from the tree. Sometimes, a branch will droop so that the iguanas can reach them by standing on their hind feet. They also eat other plants and insects while awaiting the Opuntia delicacies (at least in iguana-ville). They can go a year or more without fresh water; much of the moisture in their diets comes from the cactus pads and fruit. How’s this for a face only a mother—or an opposite-sex Land Iguana—could love?

As we headed back to the pangas, a Lava Heron looked on with minimal interest as we passed by (right). He has his neck extended a bit, so he was either watching us peripherally or he was eying a crab or some other possible lunch item beyond the frame. (Since his bill is so dark, he is most likely a male.)

And the wave-swept rockscape below gives a hint of the sheer cliffs created during the seismic uplifting. You can spot a Swallow-tailed Gull on a rock just right of center.