A wonder – everything in creation is. And, in December 2016, I was fortunate enough to enjoy this tiny Wonder (it is the smallest seabird in the world) with my own eyes, swirling around our sailing ship in the Galápagos’ waters. It is an Elliot’s Storm-Petrel. I took hundreds of pictures of these birds…but only a few show clearly enough the bird’s amazing abilities – it walks, runs and stands on water while feeding. I could watch them for hours –
There are two subspecies, and this one is an endemic galapagoensis; ”Elliot” after the man who discovered the bird and “Petrel” refers to Saint Peter walking on water. ”Storm” was the part given to it by the sailors, who believed the birds were warning them about a storm coming their way.
The whole story of this Storm-Petrel is enigmatic…not only is it pelagic (lives at sea only), but despite a population estimated at many thousands – a nest has yet to be found.
The theme for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is Wonder. We invite you to create a post that captures a moment, a feeling, a place, a person—which filled you with wonder.
For more information about Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – click the link!
Leya 
A marvelous capture
Thank you – I am glad you like it.
Sorry, Ann Christine- it’s been a busy week and I didn’t get time to look properly. That Header photo is scrumptious 🙂 🙂
Now I learned a new word, Jo – thank you!
Amazing photo of an amazing bird! Wish I could walk on water 😉
Have a great day.
Who doesn’t wish for that ;-D
Amazing captures Leya, very inspiring.
Thank you!
Hi Anne-Christine (or Leya), I will get to know you better. I am inspired for finding a photo challenge home. Your photo and the information about it, certainly leaves me in awestruck wonder. What an amazing capture (and bird!!). I am looking forward to your topic Saturday.
Thank you so much, Abrie, for your lovely comment, and you are very welcome to the challenges! Then we all will get to know each other better, which of course is one of the purposes with blogging.
I hope you will get inspired this Saturday as well, as we all try to keep the topics close to the human heart and mind. So – welcome to your photo challenge home with us!
That is an amazing photo the reflection and the ripples are so well caught and how amazing that a nest has never been found
Everything is amazing with this bird – glad you are amazed as well! I am surprised ornithologists haven’t found out the enigma yet. But, new species in this world are found every year, so, there is a joy in the fact that we cannot know everything, don’t you think?
Mystique is a wonder that keeps people always searching for the unknown
True
Oh wow. That’s just fabulous.
Thank you – a great experience for me!
Absolutely wonderful. I am fortunate to be able to see this bird through your eyes/photos.
I thought you would like them! I am glad you do.
It’s all down to you that I joined this challenge! I hope I don’t disappoint because you set such a high standard 😉
You could never disappoint, Ken! And that monument is awe inspiring indeed! I have not seen it with my own eyes – so this is even more of a wonder to me. Perfect for the challenge. I hope to get there one day!
You are much closer than I am. I hope you get there too. One hint go late April or early September to avoid the worst crowds and enjoy the places that close in winter.
Thank you for the tip – I have noted it down! I don’t like crowds of any kind, so this was very useful and kind of you.
I’ll willingly share our guide’s name as well, if you are able to go. English speaking, of course 😘
Please do – but this year it will not be possible to go as we have a new puppy!
Oops. Wrong symbol. Meant to be 😉
I like both😊
Very beautiful!
Thank you – a very special bird!
Beautiful choice. Storm petrels are amazing birds
Amazing
Excellent capture of a marvelous bird, Ann-Christine.
Thank you, Jane! I value your thoughts very much and feel very happy you appreciate the shots. This day brought a true wonder – unforgettable.
What an incredible little bird Ann-Christine! We have a species that stops on our island traveling from South America to the Arctic Circle called Red Knots. They’re amazing but they do stop to rest. One wonders how yours ever have young ones without stopping to nest!!
I have never heard about Red Knots – I will look it up! Good question about nesting – someday a nest will be found and we will get the answer!
”The theme for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is Wonder. We invite you to create a post that captures a moment, a feeling, a place, a person—which filled you with wonder.”
This one truly did!
I am glad you feel it did – thank you, Aditya!
( :
so beautifully captured, Ann-C! Birds are very sensitive about weather.
Thank you, Amy – they are. And seamen and sailors very observant of the signs!
What a wonderful image and story, Ann-Christine! I love that you captured the bird in motion. It is a remarkable photo and bird. Wow!
Thank you, Patti! Patience and a digital world…
Patience is the key and technology is the tool!!
Incredible images!
Thank you very much! With so many photos taken of these birds – I am grateful some came out OK.
That is the secret it seems
Luckily we live in the digital age of cameras…
What a wonderful little bird to have seen, Ann Christine!
Yes! Watching them from upper deck you could follow their flight very closely even if they were not very close to the boat.
Fab!
Underbart foto, tänk att kunna hinna snappa upp insekter som ligger på vattnet i flykt.
Ja- och att STÅ stilla på vattnet! Fantastiska fåglar.
Love the shot and narration
I am so glad you like it! Those moments are very precious to me.
That’s pretty amazing – lucky you 😊
I am very grateful!