The flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands

• The flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands (also known as Turtle) - the birthplace of Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory. Such biodiversity, as here, a little where else on the planet. Until 1936 the archipelago was a place of exile for convicts, then became a national park, and in 1978 entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now the island - a world biosphere reserve. Many imported colonists and pirates species are indigenous inhabitants of a great threat to the archipelago. They are dogs, cats, goats, pigs and so on. N.

In the photo: Iguana © Jane Savage

Admire photos of rare species of flora and fauna may be due to the annual photo contest Galapagos Conservation Trust Photography Competition, which brings together works made only on the Galapagos Islands. There are several nominations: "Landscape", "animal portrait", "Animal Behavior", "People on the islands" and "Botany". We publish sample images winners of 2016-2017's. Organizers believe that the acquaintance with a few inhabitants of the islands will help society be willing to defend them in legal and other fields.

Great Blue Heron, grab a baby sea turtle © Ivan Dario Vasquezala

Red-Billed Tropicbird © Jenny Howard

Galapagos conolophus on the island of Plaza Sur © Sheri Vandermolen

Galapagos mockingbird feeding chicks © James Robins

European Storm Petrel in search of food off the coast of the island of Fernandina © McKenna Paulley

Galapagos flycatcher © Evangelina Indelicato

Frigates. Males - swelling red goitre in females and White neck © George Skinner

The marine iguana on the island of Isabela © Carlos Cuenca Solan

swallow-tailed gull © Carlos Cuenca Solana

Crabs Grapsus grapsus at Mosquera Island. © Charlotte Brett.

Opuntia on the island of Plaza Sur © Eric Williams

Reel © Evangelina Indelicato