Galapagos: A Traveler's Introduction

by Wayne Lynch, Wayne Lynch (Photographer)

Overview

In 1979, the Galapagos Islands was one of the earliest World Heritage Sites to be selected by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), a designation intended to protect and preserve sites of cultural and natural heritage around the world. Today, there are over a thousand World Heritage Sites and the Galapagos Islands are one of the most widely valued.

The biology of the Galapagos Islands has arguably been studied more than any other archipelago in the world. Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands for five weeks in 1835 and then spent the next several decades at his home in England conducting experiments on a multitude of non-Galapagos species to confirm his theory of natural selection. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, one of the most important ideas in all of science.

The islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 605 miles (973 km) off the west coast of South America and consist of 13 main islands and 6 smaller islands. Only some are open to visitors.

In this richly illustrated tour of the Galapagos, world renowned photographer and naturalist Wayne Lynch captures the unique wildlife living here, including the Galapagos tortoise, the marine iguana, the flightless cormorant, the blue-footed boobie and the magnificent frigatebird.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228100195
Publisher:	Firefly Books, Limited
Publication date:	02/28/2018
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

In 1979, at the age of 31, Dr. Wayne Lynch left a career in emergency medicine to work full-time as a science writer and photographer. Today, he is one of Canada's best-known and most widely published professional wildlife photographers. He is the author of Penguins of the World. He and his wife Aubrey live in Alberta, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 8

How Islands Pop Up 14

Continents That Drift 16

Hotspots: The Fiery Mouths of Earthly Dragons 18

Islands on the Move 23

Island Life 26

Patterns of Plant Life 29

The Cactus Kingdom 33

A Fairytale Forest 38

Tiny Targets in a Giant Sea 40

Accidental Castaways 44

Sink or Swim 52

Up, Up and Away 59

The Greatest of Ideas 60

Invasion of the Naked Apes 66

Lost at Sea 68

Pirates, Predators and Prisoners 68

A Trickle Becomes a Flood 74

Realm of the Reptiles 77

Long Live the Tortoise 82

Imps of Darkness 86

Cactus Crunchers 91

Yahoo for the Birds 94

The Flame-Birds 94

Hunters in Daylight and Darkness 96

Darwin's Famous Finches 100

Splendid Seabirds 104

Beating the Heat 104

Earthbound Divers 109

Masters of the Wind 110

Pirates with Wings 113

Booby Bonanza 117

Mammals of the Sea 122

HIPPO 130

Further Reading 139

Meet the Author 141

Editorial Reviews

★ 01/15/2018
In this richly illustrated guide, Lynch (Planet Arctic) shows readers why the Galápagos Islands, where naturalist Charles Darwin studied habitat-specific adaptations of wildlife, still fascinate scientists and tourists alike. Lynch is a seasoned nature photographer, and his large, full-color images offer readers stunning glimpses of the islands’ life and landscapes. The book begins by discussing how eruptions from underwater volcanoes formed this chain of Pacific islands as recently as 80–90 million years ago. Most of the book showcases and provides concise information about specific species of flora and fauna, particularly those that have developed unique biological traits, such as the heavy or pointed beaks of the finches that so amazed Darwin, and other species, such as the Galápagos penguin, that are found nowhere else on Earth. Lynch includes a chapter on human visits to the islands, which were limited for centuries to pirates and castaways. Today, the Galápagos attract more than 220,000 tourists yearly and boast a permanent population of more than 35,000. The final chapter details how habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species point to a challenging future for this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lynch’s beautiful and informative guide is a must for fans of nature photography and perfect for tourists planning to travel to the islands. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

Galapagos: A Traveler's Introduction ordinarily would appear in our travel section, but its solid biology and rich color photos from naturalist author Wayne Lynch makes it a special recommendation for armchair readers with any interest in the visual and scientific processes of these unique islands. The lovely photos are the backbone of a discussion designed to visually illustrate Darwin's theories, providing amateur naturalists with beautiful color images that make it easier to understand not only Darwin's observations and conclusions, but the special allure of the Galapagos. It's a rare visual treat highly recommended for armchair naturalists, would-be visitors, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Donovan's Bookshelf - Diane Donovan

The book is glorious, featuring large pictures of the amazing creatures and plant life that call these islands home as well as information about ... the Galapagos. There is a section titled HIPPO, which summarizes all that we are doing to destroy this wonder of the world, and what we are doing to help. Each time I look at this book, my desire to the Galapagos increases. One day.

Newmarket Today - Lisa Day