Article archive / November 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 15. Source pages: 13, 14.
[Editor’s Note: Times’ columnist Dr. Andrews just returned from a trip to see what Darwin saw, celebrating the 155 year anniversary of Origin of Species and his voyage to the Galapagos Islands. A bucket list event for her, she shares with us for our November Gone Fishing feature. Photos and text by Dr. Andrews .]
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” –– Charles Darwin
This year is the 155-year anniversary of Darwin’s Origin of Species, which was published in 1859, 24 years after he spent only 7 days on one of the Galapagos Islands in 1835. And, yet, he claimed that the samples of species that he collected in his brief visit and the observations he made were seminal to his later work, particularly the Darwin Finches. More than anyone else, Darwin brought the world’s attention to the Galapagos, now declared a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The above quotation from Darwin holds much wisdom for psychologists. Change is one of the most stressful things in the life of humans. At this moment in time, humans face more rapid change than at any time in our evolution on this planet. Thus, in some ways, we have much in common with the Red Footed Booby. Change is stressful for us and only those that can be adaptable to change will thrive.
A visit to the Galapagos Islands has been on my ‘Bucket List’ for many years. The Galapagos is a living library of adaptation and evolutionary changes. The majority of the species of birds, land and ocean animals found on the Galapagos Islands are unique in the world and can only be found there.
The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, on both sides of the Equator, some 926 km west of Ecuador. The islands were formed by one of only three volcanic hot spots on the ocean’s floor. The youngest islands are not much more than inhospitable lava flows without fresh water; the older islands have developed trees, even forests.
Because of the isolation and harsh conditions, the birds, fish and animals that found themselves there had to adapt in order to survive. Most of the life forms reached the islands by accident and all have had to struggle. Some are found only on one or two islands in the chain and are not found even on a neighboring island that can be seen from the shore.
Not only are these species unique, they are remarkably unafraid of humans. This makes it easy to photograph them. The photos shared here represent some of the special trademark Galapagos life forms, such as Blue and Red-Footed Boobies, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, and the Marine Iguana.
As change affects the environment of these unusual birds and animals, they are becoming endangered even in the isolated and protected environment of Galapagos.
Even today, a visit to the Galapagos may offer insights into life, change, and the challenge of living.
Blue-Footed Boobies are in danger of becoming extinct. They nest in the sea cliffs above. The population is now estimated at 20,000 pairs. They are colorful and capable of diving like a torpedo into the water for food. The Red-Footed Booby (large photo) is also dwindling. They live and breed mostly on Genovesa or Tower Island. The population is estimated at 15,000 pairs (including 9,000 pairs on Genovesa.) This booby nests in trees; the other boobies nest on the ground and cliffs. Their feet turn red when they are ready to mate. Courtship includes lifting their feet and waving them in the air to attract the female. The Nazca or masked Booby also nests on Genovesa on the ground. The babies are almost all white fluff and quite comical. They often stand in the middle of the pathway and block your progress. (Top right is a booby sitting on an egg; top left is a booby baby; bottom left is a Blue-Footed Booby diving into water.)
Once the iconic Giant Tortoises were plentiful in the islands. Now, they exist mainly in a reserve on Santa Cruz. Pirates used to stop at the Galapagos and carry these gentle giants into their hold for food where they could live up to a year without food or water until killed and cooked. (Below) Particularly well adapted to their environment, Marine Iguanas have to dive into the ocean for the algea they eat. They excrete the excess salt through their noses once back on land. The Sea Lions and Fur Seals are cute and playful and people think their life is one of ease, playing in the water and sleeping on the beaches. Naturalists tell us, however, that they have to work hard to feed their young and that they are often hunted themselves.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.