Lava Heron perched above sea, Bartolome, Galapagos

Bartolomé Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (August 2023)

This image was taken during the Gems of Galapagos trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). An eight-day cruise was undertaken aboard the catamaran Nemo II following the south itinerary:

Day 1 Baltra (midday start), North Seymour (pm)
Day 2 San Cristobal: Lobos Island - Kicker Rock (am), Brujo Hill (pm)
Day 3 Floreana: Champion Islet - Cormorant Point (am), Post Office Bay - The Baroness Viewpoint (pm)
Day 4 Espanola: Osborn Islet - Gardner Island - Gardner Bay (am), Suarez Point (pm)
Day 5 Santa Cruz: Highlands (am), Charles Darwin Station (pm)
Day 6 South Plaza (am), Santa Fe (pm)
Day 7 Bartolome (am), Chinese Hat (pm)
Day 8 Daphne Major - Baltra (8:30 am end)

Status is classified as Least Concern. Lava Heron is a Galapagos subspecies (B. s. sundevalli) of Striated Heron. For more information on this species of bird see the following links:
Striated heron (Butorides striata) / Wikipedia
Striated Heron Butorides striata / BirdForum
Green-backed Heron Butorides striata / BirdLife International
Striated Heron Butorides striata / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Shooting Time 08:49
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/2000
Av(Aperture Value) 4.0
Exposure Compensation +1/3
ISO Speed 4000

Latitude 00 16 50.1 S
Longitude 90 33 7.4 W
Altitude 7.00m