Guano peruano, a photo from Ica, South

Photographer's Note

The main reason to go to Paracas is to visit Islas Ballestas. Composed largely of rock formations and covering an estimated area of 0.12 km², these islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the guanay guano bird, the blue-footed booby and the tendril. Other notable species include Humboldt penguins and two varieties of seals (fur seals and sea lions), amongst other mammals.These islands are accessible from the resort town of Paracas (near Pisco) by tour boat which typically lasts 2 hours. During the visits it is not uncommon for the sea lions to approach the tourist boats and make spectacles for the visiting tourists.

There are huge amounts of sea birds, every piece of rock is covered by them and the excrements they produce.

Guano (Spanish from Quechua: wanu) is the accumulated excrement of seabirds and bats. As a manure, guano is a highly effective fertilizer due to its exceptionally high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium: key nutrients essential for plant growth. Guano was also, to a lesser extent, sought for the production of gunpowder and other explosive materials.

The 19th-century guano trade played a pivotal role in the development of modern input-intensive farming, but its demand began to decline after the discovery of the Haber–Bosch process of nitrogen fixing led to the production of synthetic fertilizers. The demand for guano spurred the human colonization of remote bird islands in many parts of the world, resulting in some of the first examples of U.S. colonialism and the expansion of the British Empire.
The demand for guano led the United States to pass the Guano Islands Act in 1856, which gave U.S. citizens discovering a source of guano on an unclaimed island exclusive rights to the deposits.[ In 1857, the U.S. began annexing uninhabited islands in the Pacific and Caribbean, totaling nearly 100.[ Several of these islands are still officially U.S. territories. Other countries also used their desire for guano as a reason to expand their empires. The United Kingdom claimed Kiritimati and Malden Island. Others nations that claimed guano islands included Australia, France, Germany, the Hawaiian Kingdom, Japan, and Mexico.There were even wars over bird sh-t.

Here the sea lions playing joyfully near the boats.

ikeharel, holmertz, Royaldevon, papagolf21, PaulVDV, CMJC, pierrefonds, ktanska, jean113, jhm, lucasgalodoido, jemaflor, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (90416) 2020-08-02 0:54

Hello Malgo,
There are not so many guano producers seen here, but the sea lions are anyway more interesting than a lot of birds. The red rock makes the photo quite colourful, but it would have been an exciting sight in any case.
Kind regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (201716) 2020-08-02 1:00

Ciao cara Mallgo, great capture of superb creatures in a fantastic enviroment, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

abmdsudi (86641) 2020-08-02 1:18

Hi Malgorzata
Those are beautiful sea lions, they look to be enjoying playing with each other. I think they could not have adopted a better pose for you and with all the neutral colours you've done well to define them. This is another quality scan job, Lovely capture
Best regards

Royaldevon (71757) 2020-08-02 1:39

Hello Malgo,

Wow, this is a very intensive and interesting history lesson. I remember reading about business men becoming extremely rich by importing Guano!

These sea lions are having a very relaxed time, sunbathing or swimming, obviously accustomed to the tourist boats.
It's a fine photograph revealing the rocky habit of these mammals, with a sea bird keeping watch in the distance.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

papagolf21 (151115) 2020-08-02 1:40

Bonjour, chère Malgo,
Déjà à la découverte du monde depuis 1999 et certainement bien avant !
Merci de nous plonger dans le passé. Je suppose que ces lieux ont gardé leur aspect aussi plaisant;
Amitiés.
Philippe

PaulVDV (52486) 2020-08-02 2:39

Hello Malgo,
I remember the roar of the sea lions and also the piercing scent that met us on the boat.
I'm not sure if that smell came from the sea lions or the guano.
However, the Humboldt penguins were very rare. I only saw two.
The Ballestas and the Nazca lines were the most interesting that I saw on the coast of Peru. During most of my time in Peru I traveled through the Andes of which I have unforgettable memories.
Best regards, Paul

pierrefonds (100711) 2020-08-02 4:35

Hi Malgo,

You have captured well the action of the sea-lions. The point of view is showing the details of the sea-lions and of the cliffs. The light is bringing out the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

ktanska (38957) 2020-08-02 5:03

Hi Malgo,
Great to see all these sea lions grouped together. Rough rocks are impressive and I like those different tones varying from green to red.
Kari

jhm (199937) 2020-08-02 6:19

Hello Malgo,

It seems that this sea animals very health and are calm.
You chose a nice angle, this create depth and perspective.
Splendid panorama view nice sharp and clear.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards
John.

lucasgalodoido (26908) 2020-08-02 10:40

Olá Malgorzata,
interessante registro aqui mesmo, antigo e em condições difíceis. Belo registros desses exóticos animais.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas

lousat (127475) 2020-08-02 13:05

Ciao Malgo,another beautiful pic from this wonderful trip,and this time too the quality is excellent! Perfect capture of the sea lions,with the special bonus of the white gull on the top! Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Tue (79554) 2020-08-02 13:39

Hello Malgo,
Beautiful view of these rocky coastlines. I really like the different colours for the rocks with especially a nice combination of red and green. The sea lions are nicely scattered around the rocks in the foreground, lying lazily on top of them, and in the sea right in front of us.
Lars

ifege (28557) 2020-08-03 0:18

Hi Malgo
A good action photo of the seals watched over by the sea bird - and much better in the large view.
cheers
Ian

Miguel82 (45441) 2020-08-03 2:35

Hello, the guano used as fertilizer was an important source of income in the past. That rocky coast represents a refuge for the sea lions. They feel at ease in the cold water. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

jmdias (99766) 2020-08-03 10:41

malgo

I saw these animals and the sky was covered with millions of birds, a number I never had seen before. anyway my camera hadn't a great zoom in those days and my images of the animals were so far.

take care

jorge

COSTANTINO (101174) 2020-08-03 23:25

hello dear Malgorzata
wow!!!fantastic view...
it must be a real experience
travelling and visiting
Islas Ballestas
these rock formations are
really impressive and the whole
scenery too...
you are very lucky dear Malgorzata
regards
Costantino

ikeharel (104149) 2020-08-04 0:31

Hello malgo, and thanks for your latest critique.
How did you managed to hide this one...?
An exceptional sight of the red rocks and the seals community lay upon. Colors in fine composition, the water also gave a good sense of motion to the scene.
Have a nice new day,
Ike