Since the earliest humans first began to watch and study birds, they have been inextricably woven into the fabric of human life. Humans were undoubtedly first interested in birds as a source of food. But our interactions with birds have evolved to the extent that legends, folklore and myths concerning birds are a part of every culture on earth.
People have always noted the movements and behaviour of birds, and by studying them have learned more about the world around us. Ecotourism and bird-watching are activities that have developed in many parts of the world. Here in the Galapagos Islands, these experiences are at their most pleasant. The great number of birds that are found here, combined with their fearlessness, due to the lack of terrestrial predators, makes it almost a guarantee that our guests will have an unforgettable trip.
Today, while we were wandering among the lava flows, we had a "close encounter" with a yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) that was nesting in a crack in the lava and showing off its bright aqua egg.
