(December 7) South Plaza is a tiny flat island produced by lava that welled out of the sea without ever forming a proper volcano.


There is a small breeding colony of sea lions near the dock.


Sea lions rest in the shade of a prickly pear cactus while a land iguana tries to reach the leaves.

There are a lot of land iguanas here.





Lava lizards.

Swallow tail gulls nest on the cliffs on the other side of the island.




A marine iguana.


The rocky sea cliffs are a refuge for bachelor sea lions, young males who hope someday to be big and strong enough to seize a proper breeding ground for themselves.

All posts from this trip.