Few places on earth rival the

Galápagos Islands for sheer uniqueness of flora and fauna.



And even fewer can boast they have wildlife that ignore humans who walk freely among them.



This makes these relatively young volcanic islands a visitor's paradise and a wildlife photographer's dream.



The country of Ecuador has designated the archipelago a National Park, and shore visits are always accompanied by knowledgeable naturalists. They are dedicated guardians of the environment and move about with groups no bigger than 16 people on strictly defined trails.



The photographs and text in this book are a summary of one particular visit, a partnership of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, during which the mammals, reptiles, and birds allowed visitors to their islands.