The Ballestas Islands were added (1966) to the Paracas National Reserve (340,000 hectares), established in 1975, just south of Pisco. The Reserve and Islands are home to a multitude of species. Flights of birds look like the approach of a dark storm cloud, but these clouds have white rain. Tourists can take boat tours around the islands but are not allowed on shore. It is probably a good thing because the place is covered with processed fish that has been through the digestive tracks of countless and diverse birds, sea lions, and turtles. Much of it is still accumulating as you can see in the photos, look for the white streaks whenever there is a dark background. Do remember to bring a hat!
This continual dropping of processed seafood over centuries from 150 bird species such cormorants, Humboldt penguin, an occassional condor, boobies and pelicans fueled a profitable extraction industry that exported shiploads of guano throughout the world for use as fertilizer.
On the way to the islands is the Candelabro, a 150 ft. (50 meter) form in the desert overlooking the sea. It dates from pre Inca-times.
This is typical of the tour boats used for the 2-hour (about) excursion to the Ballestas Islands
On the way to the islands is the Candelabro, a 150 ft. (50 meter) form in the desert overlooking the sea. It dates from pre Inca-times and is related to the nearby Nazca Lines.
Peruvian pelicans resting on the cliffs in the Ballestas Islands, Peru
Commercial fishing boat (LOS CHARRANGOS VIII) working in the Ballestas Islands
Peruvian boobies returning to the Ballestas Islands
Approaching the Ballestas Islands
Guaono loading area in the Ballestas Islands
Facility in the Ballestas Islands, showing the land covered with boobies
Facility in the Ballestas Islands, showing the land covered with boobies
An area in the Ballestas Islands seemingly reserved for boobies
An area in the Ballestas Islands seemingly reserved for sealions
A natural tunnel through the midst of one of the Ballestas Islands in Peru
Ballestas Islands, showing the land and air full of boobies
A single rock covered with boobies in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies nesting on the cliff face in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds on cliffs and in flight in the Ballestas Islands
Brightly colored rocks with sea weed and starfish in the Ballestas Islands
Brightly colored rocks with sea weed and starfish in the Ballestas Islands. Notice the rain of “guano”
Sealion sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands
Sealions sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and Humboldt penguins on the rocks in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight and on land in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight and on land and with sea lions in the Ballestas Islands
Commercial fishing boat (CHRISTOPHER) working in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies resting on a corroded cliff face in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds heading to sea from the Ballestas Islands in the endless search for food.
Sealions sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight and on land, near a sandy beach in the Ballestas Islands
Boobies and other birds in flight and on land in the Ballestas Islands
Typical tour boat returning to El Chaco after an excursion to the Ballestas Islands
Navigation buoy with resting cormorants on the approach to El Chaco
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