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~
Share this:
Discover more from Cindy Knoke
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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!
Pingback: Palomino Islands~ — – SEO
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
If seeing penguins was your priority, would you say Palominos or Ballestas is better? Does the number of penguins, and closeness you get to them differ?
I am sorry but I am the wrong person to ask. I wasn’t in search of penguins in either place because I have seen so many in Antarctica and Argentina and posted about them a lot. You can see penguins in both places though. Tour boats will take you to them if you ask particularly for penguins. Here is what google AI says about Ballestas.
Search Labs | AI Overview
Learn more
Things to do in the Ballestas Islands of Peru | Chimu Adventures
To see penguins in Ballestas Islands, Peru, you can take a boat tour from the port of Paracas. The boat tour will take you to the islands, where you can see the penguins in their natural habitat.
How to get there
You can take a day trip from Lima to the Ballestas Islands.
You can also take a tour from a hostel in Haucachina.
What to expect
The boat tour will last about two hours.
You can see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and many types of birds.
You might also see dolphins.
The boat provides a great vantage point for taking photos.
You can bring binoculars to help you see the penguins.
When to go
You can see penguins from May to October.
The Humboldt Current brings cold water to the area, which attracts many types of marine life, including the penguins’ food.