To see, study and understand the beauty and remarkable adaptation of the life here is a great privilege, and one which we must preserve for future generations. One of the most interesting species found in Galapagos is the waved albatross, Diomedea irrorata, which feeds principally in the cool waters of the Humboldt Current and nests mainly on the Galapagos Islands. A few pairs also breed on La Plata Island, off the mainland of Ecuador.
The long narrow wings of albatrosses are adapted to gliding at high speeds (up to 100 kph), almost effortlessly, on strong winds above the turbulent seas of their wide ocean range. They have a greater capacity for dynamic soaring at speed than any other bird, which can be seen when one flies close to a ship with never a flap of the wings.
The beauty and the grace of the flying bird compel admiration and wonder. It is an aesthetic appeal to both the eye and mind when, for a while, we pause to observe the apparently effortless ease with which birds flap and fly, hover and soar.
It is our hope that everyone will share with us our desire to protect and conserve every single species on this planet. Much more effort is needed if we are to save the most endangered species.
