OceansArt.US
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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.
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 01piscoelchaco.jpg Access to most visitors to the Ballestas Islands is from this pier at the Port of El Chaco, just south of Pisco. |
 0605260842piscoislesparktourboat.jpg This is typical of the tour boats used for the 2-hour (about) excursion to the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260843piscoislespark.jpg 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. |
 0605260843piscoislespark_2.jpg Peruvian pelicans resting on the cliffs in the Ballestas Islands, Peru |
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 0605260844piscoislesparkfishingboat.jpg Commercial fishing boat (LOS CHARRANGOS VIII) working in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260845piscoislespark.jpg Peruvian boobies returning to the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260905piscoislespark.jpg Approaching the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260908piscoislespark_3.jpg Guaono loading area in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260908piscoislespark_4.jpg Facility in the Ballestas Islands, showing the land covered with boobies |
 0605260909piscoislespark_4.jpg Facility in the Ballestas Islands, showing the land covered with boobies |
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 0605260909piscoislespark_5.jpg An area in the Ballestas Islands seemingly reserved for boobies |
 0605260911piscoislesparksealions.jpg An area in the Ballestas Islands seemingly reserved for sealions |
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 0605260912piscoislesparkguonobirds.jpg Ballestas Islands, showing the land and air full of boobies |
 0605260912piscoislespark_2.jpg A natural tunnel through the midst of one of the Ballestas Islands in Peru |
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 0605260913piscoislespark.jpg A single rock covered with boobies in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260914piscoislespark_3.jpg Boobies nesting on the cliff face in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260915piscoislespark_2.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260915piscoislespark_3.jpg Boobies and other birds on cliffs and in flight in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260918piscoislespark_5.jpg Brightly colored rocks with sea weed and starfish in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260919piscoislesparksealion.jpg Sealion sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260919piscoislesparksealions.jpg Sealions sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260919piscoislespark_4.jpg Brightly colored rocks with sea weed and starfish in the Ballestas Islands. Notice the rain of "guano" |
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 0605260923piscoislespark_2.jpg Boobies and Humboldt penguins on the rocks in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260924piscoislespark.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight and on land in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260924piscoislespark_2.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260925piscoislespark.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight and on land and with sea lions in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260927piscoislesparkfishingboat.jpg Commercial fishing boat (CHRISTOPHER) working in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260928piscoislespark_4.jpg Boobies resting on a corroded cliff face in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260929piscoislespark.jpg Boobies and other birds heading to sea from the Ballestas Islands in the endless search for food. |
 0605260941piscoislesparksealions.jpg Sealions sunning on brightly colored rocks in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605260944piscoislespark_2beach.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight and on land, near a sandy beach in the Ballestas Islands |
 0605260945piscoislespark.jpg Boobies and other birds in flight and on land in the Ballestas Islands |
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 0605261008piscoislespark.jpg Typical tour boat returning to El Chaco after an excursion to the Ballestas Islands |
 0605261009piscoislespark_2buoy.jpg Navigation buoy with resting cormorants on the approach to El Chaco |
