Thursday February 21, 2013

Thursday February 21/13  update #371
A reminder to see the compilation of Galapagos videos at  http://youtu.be/XV94dg2LhHA
I woke up at 1:30 and finally just got up and started working on the Feb 13 photos at 3:30 for about 4 hours before crashing again for about 3 hours.  Then I was up again to work on the photos for another 2 hours.  It is time-consuming and keeps me in the house but it is something that needs to be done properly.
I learn some new technique every day and I am really proud of the new detailed work that is resulting from these efforts.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos from last Wednesday Feb 13 at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Today’s posted Feb 13 photos include an early morning walk to Las Grietas on a trail of inhospitable mud-covered lava rock.  This was not an easy walk, starting at Finch Bay.  The Las Grietas fjords are part of a volcanic fracture or fissure stretching from Estrada Point to the western end of Academy Bay and continuing several kilometers underground.  Here, sea water and rainwater mix, so the ecosystem is brackish sea-water.  Fish larvae, such as Parrot Fish, can grow these fissures and then remain trapped here until they grow to adulthood.
You arrive at Las Grietas suddenly, looking down at some steep wooden stairs into this narrow canyon spreading left and right.  The right side is narrow and overgrown.  The left side however is a treasure of brilliant green water with many fish in evidence.  It seems to be a favourite trek for people to swim and even jump from the cliffs.  It was disappointing to see garbage left behind by ignorant humans, and I hate to call them that, in such a pristine setting.  Even at only 8:30am the relentless sun and humidity had us dripping wet and anxious to cut our visit short.  On the way back we encountered a large group or two including Europeans and Ecuadorians.  Walking on the sharp rocks with many wet sections of red mud was treacherous and dangerous, yet old people in sandals trudged on.  When I saw a man carrying a boy of about 6 years old I wanted to reach out and smack the idiot.  One small mis-step and both of them would be severely injured.  Even duct tape can’t cure stupidity.  I know I have reported some of this earlier so I apologize.
Usually the mid-day means showering off the sweat and grime from the morning outing then enjoying the air-conditioning to work on the computer and have a nap.
The days and nights are also only 12 hours in the Galapagos, basically 6:30 to 6:30, so outings are designed to avoid the scorching times between 11am and 4pm essentially.  In the late afternoon I walked with my 2 cameras to the water taxi pier for Finch Bay and took many shots of the action nearby, boats, people, pelicans, frigate birds, crabs, and the fascinating Marine Iguanas.
When we went to town for the evening meal I ordered a salad with chicken, ham, mozza and egg.  It sounded interesting but I was unprepared for the dish that came, with almost no evidence of the paltry amount of lettuce buried underneath.  Ecuador, where everything is possible, but nothing is for sure.  (Love that motto).
Near the pier there was yet another political rally in the skateboard park for supporters and candidates of President Rafael Correa’s ruling party.  We now know that he was easily re-elected as the polls had suggested from the outset.  He is a bit of a lefty but he has done so much good for the country since he came to power that it is a popular outcome.
Today I am going to include an untouched photo of a Marine Iguana to show the difference in a processed artwork.  The unprocessed photo has just hints of the colour in the skin of these fascinating creatures, but they are definitely there.  Part of my processing generally includes darkening a photo to bring out the colours, then to saturate those colours a little, then add some vibrance, amongst burning and dodging and other requirements.  The results on the Iguanas caught me completely by surprise.  I knew the colours were there, in their skin, but how easily they “popped” was a shock.  I hope you are enjoying the results.