12 Comments

I would like to ask you a private, but not personal, question about the Galapagos. Would that be possible? If so, please send the best way to contact you to my email address, which is.kcvictor1@gmail.com. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Sending me a private message on Substack itself is the best way to contact me. I accept messages from all subscribers.

Expand full comment

Please tell me how I can send a private message. Do I need to subscribe to Substack? Maybe I do because I get stuff from them. I will ask someone who may understand more than I do about this.

Can I just type my question in a box like this and it will be private?

Expand full comment

I can see you are already subscribed to my newsletter.

To send a private message on the website, you go to my homepage

https://clairepolders.substack.com

and click on the middle icon on the top right corner; it looks like a cartoon speech bubble.

There's already a message from me to you waiting there.

Expand full comment

To send me a message on your phone, through the app, you can click on the speech bubble icon at the bottom of the screen, then click on the orange speech bubble with a plus at the bottom right corner, and type my name in the search bar. (Or you can click on "direct messages" on the top of your screen and see my message to you waiting for you there.)

I hope this helps.

I prefer to keep Substack communications as much as possible on the platform and not via email.

Expand full comment

"Do I get bonus points for photographing two species at once?" - For the record, yes, you do. LOL

Your restraint in not petting these sea lions is admirable. If I had been traveling with someone, he or she would have to watch me like a little kid because I would seriously want to pet/hold/take home, etc. LOL

So, that heat index of 12. Is that, like, on par with Hell or maybe just the first level flames-licking-at-your-feet Hell? In that second pic, that woman's legs in the background look a little toasty. I should know all about heat indexes since I live in AZ, but I don't. I just know that for a certain number of months we're cooking like fried chicken over here. LOL

Expand full comment

The UV index I mentioned relates to the damaging rays of the sun. It's not a heat index per se. It's about how quickly the sun will burn your skin if left unprotected. Surprisingly, it's not that hot here. It hardly goes over 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index

Expand full comment

Ooooh, 85 degrees. I can dig it.

Expand full comment

Another lovely post- helping me remember our wonderful trip a few years ago. The director of the tour we were on told us that, when we were back in our everyday lives and feeling out of sorts, we should remember the Galápagos Islands and the magic we found there.

Expand full comment

Solid advice from that tour director! It is magical here. I'm writing my detailed travelogues in the hope that it will be easier for me to remember our time here.

Expand full comment

This is a fascinating account, Claire. Every animal is interesting. (I loved the booby's blue feet and the comparison to plastic. I'm amazed at the trust these animals have. When I was on an island near Point Reyes, I approached a group sea lions and one of them came after. me aggressively. Glad you can stay an extra four days.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Thaisa! Some male sea lions can be aggressive; they defend their harem. But most mothers trust us to observe their pups closely without a problem.

Expand full comment