The geologically stunning Palamino Islands are off the coast of Callao Peru.
The boat trip out to visit them is exciting as the waters are rough, especially in the narrows between the islands.
Local fisherman brave the rough seas in their small pangas. There is an abandoned prison on one island reminiscent of Devil’s Island, and there are multiple old shipwrecks in the treacherous waters.
Like Isla Ballestas, which I will show you next, these Peruvian islands are a wonderland of marine mammals and birds, including Humboldt Penguins. The Patagonian Sea Lion nurseries, where mamas drop their babies off for group day care while they go off to fish, are especially fascinating. Doesn’t the adult baby sitter in the lower right corner look just a tad stressed? I can relate to how she must feel!
Child care duty takes a village!
These huge southern sea lions are friendly,
and very curious.
They seem to enjoy checking out the humans who come to visit.
Cheers to you from the remarkable Palomino Islands~
Great photos by Cindy Knoke of the Palomino Islands off the coast of Callao, Peru.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Great photos taken by Cindy Knoke of the Palomino Islands off the coast of Callao, Peru.
Awww, thanks Patricia & Happy Easter my friend ❤
Wonderful tour, Cindy. Great pictures of the sea lions. I think you were brave to go out in those small boats! Must have been hard to keep the camera still with the water a bit rough.
Thank you. It was very hard to get photos with the waves and the sea spray. I had to keep hiding my camera when the waves came, cleaning my lens and planning for the bumps!
And the salt water can be deadly for a camera.
Exactly!
Wow!
I love these big old sea lions, and I will show you all the other amazing animals next!
Awe, those sea lions and seal babies are great to see! Precious.
Aren’t they beyond adorable and the adults raise them cooperatively. Humans could learn a thing or three from them…..
Definitely!
<3
Stunning is the word for your photos, Cindy!
I am honored, thank you Ruth & cheers to you ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
The sea lion boy at the bottom is an impressive fellow!
He definitely got my attention. He was huge and unafraid!
Those babies are screamingly adorable! Look at those sweet faces. I’d love to pet one.
OH, I wish I could come along with you. How AWESOME!
I think the big papa guardians would not be too happy if you tried to approach one of the babies, and they are BIG boys! But, I agree, those pups are beyond sweet <3 <3
Oh Cindy, amazing! I especially love the nursery shots.
Alison
Isn’t that amazing! They have childcare figured out for the whole community. I wonder why humans are so far behind!
I love the places you visit and the way you introduce them.
Visa versa 2UX2! <3
How wonderful. All those babies!!!! So adorable. And the close up of the curious seal was so sweet. Another fabulous post. Thank you.
You make me happy I posted. Cheers to you sweet friend <3
Stunning pictures. 🙂
Thank you! Most appreciated <3
The sea lion said “oh look, lady with a camera! This is my good side.” Great shots, Cindy!
I swear they did do this!! How did you know? ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
I was there, too. I’m on all your trips. 😉
You are such an awesome travel companion Dorinda <3 Happy Easter!
I’m a cheap date lol. Happy Easter!! ❤️
You are wonderful. Happy Easter.
absolutely wonderful
Honored, thank you <3
Amazing photos from the rough sea! And the sea lions and their babies are adorable. 🙂
I so <3 people who <3 ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ !
What a wild and wonderful landscape, Cindy! We are blessed, if only we knew it. Have a peaceful happy Easter! 🙂 🙂
All the best to you this Easter and always Jo <3
Thanks, hon 🙂 🙂
<3
So awesome and that babysitter did look stressed – hah-
You know she was looking at her seal timepiece, saying, “Whey are the mother’s coming home!” ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Hahaha – that fits the photo so well
Amazing pictures.. 🤗
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Beautifully done, as always, Cindy. You made us look at the adult baby sitter picture 🙂
I felt for her. I could just imagine the audio impact alone!!!
🙂
Thank you for introducing us to a new area of the world! The sea lions look very happy in their habitat.
Happy, friendly and curious about people. How nice is this! ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
glaub mir, das Osterfest wird richtig schön
Frohe Ostern mein lieber Freund <3
herzliche Grüße zum Osterfest
Frohe Ostern mein Lieber Freund <3
Love those pictures of the sea lions. Amazing to see the sea lion’s way of life or organizes how they live together. I think that makes a lot of sense.
Often wild animals seem more sensible than humans, well, some humans at least! ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Love the baby sea lions.
I <3 people who <3 ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ pups!
Those little pups are adorable – great pictures to share 🙂
Thank you and I am happy you enjoyed them. Happy Easter!
Wow! Stunning photos of a rugged, beautiful place. And those sea lion babies are adorable!! Hats off to the babysitters.
God Bless all babysitters, especially those that watch 50 ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ pups!
Yes! 🙂
<3
Cindy, The pics from the Palomino Islands are amazing. The Sea Lions and your descriptive story is fascinating. THANKS!
Ahhh, thank you Gary & Happy Easter my friend <3
Your welcome Cindy. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter Gary!
Thanks Cindy. If you haven’t checked out the blog I posted today. Check it out. You might get a laugh out it.
Thanks Cindy. Check out my video on my blog today. I did it especially for Easter
What an amazing place. ( What is your secret to knowing so many amazing places? :D) Love the sea lion nurseries, although I wouldn’t like to be one of the adults in charge of so many littlies. 😉
I wonder how they pick the daycare providers??? Is it a lottery? Is it a privilege or a punishment. Most likely, being wiser than humans, they share the duty equally. Happy Easter Mandy <3
I expect so. 🙂
<3
Looks amazing! What a wonderful world we live in.
We live in a beautiful world <3
Thank you so much, Cindy for taking us there. Amazing to see the island and these creatures.
Thank you Amy, any unspoiled natural place is quite a special treat. Happy Easter!
Brilliant shots. Those sea lion pictures look like you’re hanging out in their living room with them!!
I can just imagine, “Kids, kids, calm down now, no fighting…..”
I can empathize! 😉
Yep, me too <3
Hi Cindy…Thank you for the great pictures.
Thank you more for appreciating them!
Incredible captures, Cindy, what a fascinating place!! ❤
Peru’s islands are unspoiled Edens!
Oh, what a wondrous place that is!
You would love the baby ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ Dor. Happy Easter!
I didn’t know about the group day care – amazing the things animals do quietly, efficiently and with grace. Thanks for posting, Cindy.
We could learn so much from if we just paid attention!
Absolutely!
<3
A great photo essay on the islands off the coast of Peru! Happy Easter, Cindy!
Happy Easter to you and your family Peter!
Wow! Fascinating. Love the pups!!
Aren’t they amazing. From a distance they looked like tons of tiny mice. Happy Easter John ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
The rock in the first picture looks astonishingly like one of those statues on Easter Island. And with that thought, Happy Easter to you,
Pit
I noticed the Easter Island resemblance as well!
It is striking isn’t it!
It certainly is striking, isn’t it?
<3
I was struck by this too. Thought provoking isn’t it, especially when I post the candelabra! Happy Easter to you.
🙂
Great photos Cindy. Those are very interesting rock formations, colors, and cute baby seals. 🙂
Thanks much Brad & Happy Easter ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Thanks!
<3
beautifully wild!
thanks, Cindy 🙂
Yes, it’s wonderful isn’t it, thank you! ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
I want in your luggage!!!!! That first photo almost looks like a statue of sorts from the right angle. The wildlife is wonderful and unspoiled by humans.
It does almost look man made doesn’t it, like an Easter Island head! Peru’s offshore islands are stunning.
Easter Island is what I thought about or the totem poles.
Yes, maybe these types of formations gave the old ones the ideas!
The sea lion photos are very cool!
Thank you! They are ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
I am Peruvian and a few years ago, I had the opportunity to be in those places. It is still attractive to see marine life that little island. Your extraordinary photos, remind me of a youth where the adventure in the sea was the best on school vacations and I was not afraid of danger. It was a surprise because I now live in Venezuela for 43 years and the nostagia returned. Thank you very much for this moment.
Oh how wonderful to trigger such positive childhood memories. This makes me happy I posted. I too was born and grew up next to the ocean and spent my childhood in it, and on it. I have to return to the ocean regularly in order to feel happy. When I am in or on the sea, I am happy. How beautiful your childhood must have been in Peru’s gorgeous ocean. I am so happy you have been to her incredible islands <3
Yes, nothing like the sea. Its blue color surrounds us and at night the waves do not want to let us go. I am also happy that you have enjoyed your trip. A good Sunday Cindy.
<3 <3
I also.
I liked how you use the word ‘exciting’ rather than harrowing to describe your boat trip out. 🙂 I can see the mama seals doing daycare duty wondering what to do with all those crying babies. I loved seeing so many all in one place. Don’t think I’ve ever seen the babies before. What on earth brings you to all those glorious places? I would so love to travel that much. Enjoy your Easter.
That seal babysitter looked like I probably will after a few days taking care of my new twin grandsons!! Happy Easter to you and your family Marlene <3
Happy Easter, Cindy. Extra hugs to those grand babies.
Happiest Easter to you and your family Marlene <3
Cindy, this was fascinating with unbelievable images…thank you for taking us along with you to a place I will never see personally but have been so lucky to travel with you. Safe travels.
Thank you Sheila, and you know how much I enjoy traveling with you!
Better to visit with than the crocs. 🙂
Laughing…..they are much friendlier ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Beautiful photos and what a treat to see those sea lions! They are just too cute!
I <3 people who <3 ᶘ ᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Wonderful photos, especially the penultimate
Thank you Alex! He’s a BIG boy isn’t he! ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
Gorgeous photos! And that’s so cool about the daycare situation. Well, maybe not for the adult in charge. 🙂 But the concept is very cool
!
We could learn from them, co-operation is adaptive!
Absolutely!
<3
What an amazing place Cindy – is it part of the Galapagos? Your photos are beautiful.
Thank you Tina. It is not part of the Galapagos, although my next post will be on the Islas Ballestas, which are commonly referred to as “Peru’s Galapagos.”
These are very beautiful & empathetic creatures! Thank you, for these wonderful shots, Cindy!
You would see their empathy, my empathetic friend <3
They are so beautiful!
I know. They are <3
I admit, I wouldn’t have expected sea lions to be friendly; they’re one of the few animals who intimidate me. Of course, I’ve also only seen them in captivity, and never living free in the wild.
They can be aggressive, but usually only if they are after your fish. I grew up with the smaller northern ones. We aren’t in their food group. The males would defend the harem and pups from humans unwise enough to threaten them.
Then I take it that if you don’t wave a fish in a sea lion’s face and don’t harass them, that you’ll usually be fine?
I just remember that the sea lions I used to see in my childhood zoo always appeared to be a bit neurotic, but then again they were living in captivity.
“Then I take it that if you don’t wave a fish in a sea lion’s face and don’t harass them, that you’ll usually be fine?”
Exactly! It is a good philosophy for all creatures, including us!
I always wave fish in people’s faces.
Laughing…. They might try to steal it, depending on the fish of course. Humans are so illogical.
What an amazing place to see!
These Peruvian off shore island groups are gorgeous natural wonders <3
Cindy, thank you for the beautiful photographs!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are more lovely photographs from Cindy Knoke!
On behalf of all the wild creatures, (including myself), I thank you sincerely Charles for your support. ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ
What an extraordinary place, Cindy! Thanks for sharing it with us. I got a kick out of seal pup day care. Hugs on the wing!
Hugs back to you Teagan & take care <3
Aww…lovely shots esp. the baby sea lions. You deserve a seal of excellence, my dear friend.
♡\ \ \\✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡ // / /♡
I am so happy! I finally have a seal of approval, to send back to you! ᶘᵒᴥᵒᶅ ♡
Thank you. I love your sEal-moji.
♡〜٩(^▿^)۶〜♡
<3 (^▿^) <3
The scenery is just so stunning and the sea lions are so beautiful as well. They all look like adorable pups, even the adult ones! 🙂
I know. Wild animals, and their babies, make me so happy, as does hearing from you Halim. Love to you and hope all is well.
Liebe Cindy, ich wünsche dir frohe Ostern bei möglichst bester Gesundheit
Lovely photos!
Thank you & cheers!
Baby sea lion child care?? Who knew?! Love the photo of all of them curiously peeking at the humans from their protective waters!
It was so amazing! It seemed like, “We are so glad to see you!”
This is amazing. It takes a village to raise children. We can learn from the animals.
Amen! Yes we can. <3
Hi. I need one small favour. Can you please check if my quotes can be shared. I am having some technical issues here. Please. 🙂
Very remarkable Cindy! This is nature as its best. Thank you for sharing such wonderful information. Happy Easter! Michael
Thank you more for your kind appreciation Michael and cheers to you!
It is always a trip to follow along on your journeys, Cindy.. Your generosity in inviting us is probably– no must be– part of who you are. I am grateful. With.these pictures, I feel that I am there. Sooo good for My Dear and me to travel this way, much more efficient for some than tours or even Roads Scholar-ships.
Albert here. (Hit send too quickly)
No worries. I do this all the time!
Ahhh, you make the travel more interesting. Thank you for traveling along <3
Wow! What pictures! So beautiful and impressive!
I am honored! Thank You & cheers.
Wonderful shots!
So happy you enjoyed & thank you!
Those aren’t graven images, they are from the hand of the Creator.
Yes!
These photos are gorgeous. The mountains and the ocean look so magnificent. And those seal pups! 😀
Thank you! Aren’t those pups just incredible. They were quite the sight!
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Thank you & cheers to you!
I see the facial expression of a baby sitter is the same not matter the species! LOL. The whole idea is fascinating though.
Exactly!!! I have definitely been there!
Bless their gentle little souls ! You got great photo’s of their sweet little faces. They certainly have a lot of pups, but I suppose there’s a lot of mama seals out there too. I wonder how they don’t over-populate the region ? I suppose mother nature takes a hand in balancing it all. Fantastic visit Cindy !! xk
There are a lot of critters in the waters just waiting for a seal pup meal, so their numbers will diminish, that said, there were thousands of them on these islands which made me very happy. Hugs to sweet friend and wonderful to hear from you <3
oh wow, the baby seals. xxx
Your adventures are amazing Cindy.
So are you Charlotte <3
What personalities and characteristics God gives to them all. Sea lions, penguins, birds, etc. And I’m sure we mamas and grandmas can all relate to the stress of looking after our young’uns like these. 🙂
Creation is nothing short of spectacular. Lovely to hear from you Joyce & hope all is well with you! <3
Be careful, you can be eaten alive by these huge remote sea creatures. A precious journey. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you more for appreciating & cheers to you!
I do! Be safe and know that I am cheering you on with your expeditions!
Muchas gracias mi amiga. I am home and safe now, but leave soon to see the orcas!
These are so incredible! I love sea lions! How blessed you are to have that! 😀 <3
I am so glad you <3 the sea lions! Many people don't. I grew up around sea lions, and people who hated them. I love them.
What great adventures you have! Love the sea lions! 💕
Thank you for loving the sea lions Bernice <3 I love them too!
💕💕💕
Beautiful photography and quite an interesting place. Great article!
I am an admirer of your work as well my friend . Cheers to you & thank you!
Thank you Cindy
<3 ʕ´•̥̥̥ ᴥ•̥̥̥`ʔ