Galapagos Sea Lions

 The galapagos are home to the endemic galapagos sea lion.  Similar to what we get up here in BC, they have evolved and become smaller and resident to the archipelago.  They have no predators here.  There are no seal eating sharks or transient orcas.  Therefore they are quite at home even when there are humans tromping about. 

 They are so relaxed around humans that in the airport in Quito, there are numerous signs stating that you must keep away from wildlife by at least 2 metres.  So measure that.  It's not a lot so we were able to observe them very closely.  They kept on sleeping, playing, nursing and blorting about while under close observation.  This sweet lady below was napping on a very comfortable bed of carpetweed on South Plaza Island.

 The only ones you had to watch out for was the adult bulls or 'beachmasters' that controlled a section of beach or a harem of 1-6 females. They need a bit more respect. We did watch one idiot tourist get chased though.  If I was in his vicinity instead of on a boat I would have smacked him one (tourist not pinniped).  Sealions in the Galapagos are not tame, docile or friendly by any stretch.  However, when were in the water they would come up close to play abit (more on that later in the video). We were clearly in their element and they knew it.  It was a pleasure to hear the bulls calling and displaying. This fellow was 'Arping' along the shallows.  Presumably in a macho display. It was amazing to swim alongside these fellows that while awkward on land were a torpedo of poetry in the water.