Sisters woman hosts virtual tour of the Galapagos

COCC’s winter Lunch and Learn program in Sisters kicked off at the new Sisters Library’s meeting room last week.

Norma Funai reprised her two-week adventure visiting the Galapagos Islands through slides and commentary. Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands over 170 years ago, helping him form his theory of evolution.

There are 13 major islands and many smaller ones in the group.

Using 35mm slides taken on her trip, Funai described various animals found on the islands. These included the well-known Galapagos tortoise, both land and marine iguana and lizards. Among invertebrates, she pictured crabs and pencil sea urchins on the rugged shorelines.

A long-time bird expert, Funai showed albatross, swallowtail gulls, the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguins, frigate birds and lava herons. Red-footed and blue-footed boobies were featured and affectionately described.

The most famous birds are Darwin’s finches and Funai described the woodpecker finch as one of many types of finches inhabiting the islands. These tiny birds have slight differences from island to island — primarily in beak size and shape — allowing them to thrive in their particular environment.

Pictures of rocky shorelines, steep cliffs and marine iguanas eating algae were featured. Various lava formations on these volcanic islands create the rugged terrain features supporting the various animals and plants.

“Temperatures were above 80 degrees and it was very humid during our visit,” said Funai.

The Galapagos Islands are in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador very near the equator. These islands were formed by volcanic activity and upheavals in the Earth’s crust.

Other highlights during Funai’s presentation included pictures of the seals at Hood Island, sea lions on the rocky shoreline and pictures of giant tortoises whose average life span is 150 years. These reptilian animals have sub-species on each island in the group.

Funai ended her presentation with a quiet display of several sunsets over these beautiful islands. Closer to home, Norma Funai is a field guide for the Deschutes Basin Land Trust.

For more information about COCC’s Lunch and Learn program call 382-7270.