<< Previous Next >>

Marine Iguana


Marine Iguana
Photo Information
Copyright: Selen Ediger (SelenE) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-26
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Hoya 77mm Super-HMC CPL MCPRO1
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Endangered, Animal Portraits II, Reptiles - Iguanas 1, Open Up ...Part I [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-03 8:36
Viewed: 6444
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Marine Iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus
Subspecies:A. c. hassi
Endemic (found only in Galapagos)
Red List Status: Vulnerable

Natural Selection and Evolution
"New species have come on the stage slowly and at successive intervals; and the amount of change, after intervals of time, is widely different in different groups. The extinctions of species and of whloe groups of species, which has played so conspicuous a part in the history of the organic world, almost inevitable follows on the principle of natural selection; for old forms will be supplanted by new and improved forms."
Charles Darwin,
Origin of Species, 1859


The Galapagos Marine Iguana is the world’s only sea-going lizard, and is found on all of the main islands. There are 7 races or subspecies which vary considerably in size and colour from island to island. The males are larger and more brightly colored than females. They are largely black or dark grey. However, the male take on a red or green tinge during the mating season. Some races look to have lichens growing on them, such are the variations in their skin color. Marine iguanas have a pronounced crest which is most prominent on the head but runs all the way down their back and tail.

Because it is ectothermic, or cold-blooded, and yet feeds in the cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell currents, it must warm up by basking in the sun on the black lava rocks, but before and after feeding trips. To avoid overheating, which would occur if its body temperature exceeded 35c, it varies its position in relation to the sun, often facing directly into it to reduce its exposure.

The Marine Iguana lives largely on land but it feeds inshore and in the intertidal zone at depths of up to about 10 m. It feeds almost entirely on red and green algae but it is also known to consume its own faeces as well as those of sea lions and crabs. This diet results in a high intake of salt. To eliminate this excess of salt, they spit out brine through their nostrils. This snorting is the only noise that they make.

Subspecies and the Islands
A.c. cristatus -Fernandina
A. c. hassi - Santa Cruz
A. c. albemarlensis – Isabela (largest in size)
A.c. mertensi - Santiago

*FAST FACTS
Type: Reptile
Diet: Herbivore
Average lifespan in the wild: 5 to 12 years
Size: 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m)
Weight: 1 to 3.3 lbs (.5 to 1.5 kg)
Did you know?: Marine iguanas sneeze frequently to expel salt from glands near their nose. The salt often lands on their heads, giving them a distinctive white wig.
Protection status: Threatened
National Geographic

Sources:
*Wildlife of the Galapagos
Julian Fitter,Daniel Fitter,David Hosking
Princeton Pocketguides, ISBN 0-691-10295-3

*Galapagos: Ocean, Earth, Wind & Fire
Jonathan R. Green

*The Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
meyerd, fartash, egeerhan, JoseMiguel, ralfsworld, Juyona, Adanac, fiyo, ecem35, vanderschelden, rousettus has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Merhaba Selen,
I saw many pictures of Marine Iguanas because I visited Galapagos myself, but this is the best I ever saw. So much details, the harshness of the light well resolved. Chapeau, madame!
Eline sa?l?k Selen,
Dietrich

Hello Selen
Wonderful spiece to shoot,
Excellent lighting and focusing,
Great sharpness and DOF,
Superb shot.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-05-03 10:05]

Hello Selen,
How marvellous to be able to visit the Galapagos Islands! This is a superb portrait of the Marine Iguana with excellent sharpness, colour and the greenish BG sets it off very well.
Very nice indeed!
TFS, Ivan

derinlik,kadraj Iguana harika ellerine saglık Selen.

Merb selene cok net ve keskin isik guzel olmus tebrikler selamlar Necip.

Hi Selen,
We missed you, but now realize that you were not resting from shoting.
This is a great portrait of this lizzard, your POV and close approach works great.
I like very much all the clear and amazing details on their skin, and great timing to shot with the mouth slightly open.
Can't wait to see your coming posts!
My compliments and thanks for share it.
Best regards,
JM

Cool shot of this iguana, Selen!
Details, colours and pose are really nice.
TFS
Ralf

merhaba
fotoğraf kalitesi mükemmel, renkler, netlik ve arka plandaki derinlik çok güzel.
Sanıyorum başta biz biyologlar olmak üzere pek çok kişinin en çok görmek istedikleri yerler arasında Galapagos. siz şanslılardansınız. tebrikler.
bizler de sayenizde görmüş olduk. ilk iki Ekvador karesini yenilerinin takip edeceğini umuyorum ve sabırsızlıkla görmeyi bekliyorum.
paylaşım için teşekkürler
Ahmet

Well, I know that ManYee for one, is GREEN with envy at your getting to travel to the Galapagos. What a dream vacation for a wildlife photographer. This is a nice sharp image Salen. I bet you had a great time getting full frame shots!

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2007-05-03 22:13]

Hello Selen,
Amazing closeup composition with razor sharp details and great colors. This was all made possible with some brilliant camera work.
Rick

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2007-05-04 0:49]

Hello Selen,
What a fantastic shot of the famous marine iguana of the Galapagos.
That is my dream, to go there some day.
A great POV of that fascinating reptile,
with sharp details and good exposure.
Very interesting close-up.
TFS. : )

Woah Selene,
This is a stunning portrait of this Iguana. I'm amazed by those great details you caught and this superb exposure and moment caught! This is a great and very interesting picture taken in an almost mystical place. Superb!
Claudine

Hi Selen.
Nice shot. Excellent exposure. Very pure ans sharp shot. Well done. tfs. Stev

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-05-07 2:04]

Merhaba Selen,
Galapagos gezin verimli geçmis. Bize de?isik türleri tanitiyorsun. Iguananin renginin koyulugu ilginç. Agzi aralikken çok güzel yakalamissin. Hosçakal.
Hakan

Hi Selen,

Amazing shot.
The details are fabulous and I think the light is very well handled here.
Great presentation.

Regards,
Christian

Renkler ve netlik harika bize göre ilginç bir canlı gerceklten Godzilla tebrik ederim Selen

Hi Selen,
Missed the beautiful monster.
Well exposed and composed.
Great photography.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2007-05-11 5:57]

Hola Selen,
buen retrato,
nitidez y perfectos detalles y texturas...
saludos
TP.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-10-09 2:36]

Hi Selen,
Just marking this post and will be back with a proper critique. Facing internet problem, hence doing a short job.
Regards.
Sumon

Selen merhaba , detayları ve doğal renkleriyle çok güzel bir portre , eline sağlık.

Excellent lighting and focusing,Very nice indeed!

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF