Often called the "Poor Man's Galapagos," the Ballestas Islands are a dramatic cluster of rocky outcrops carved by wind and waves into arches, caves, and jagged formations, all teeming with wildlife. You will find dense colonies of sea lions lounging on the rocks, Humboldt penguins standing at the water's edge, and enormous flocks of boobies, cormorants, and pelicans in near-constant motion overhead. Morning tours are your best option, as the light is softer and the animals tend to be more active before the heat sets in. A 70-200mm telephoto lens is ideal since boats cannot land on the islands, so you are shooting from a moving vessel at varying distances. Brace yourself against the boat railing for stability and shoot in burst mode to capture birds in flight against the rocky cliffs. Book your tour in advance through operators based in Paracas. (Paracas, Ica, Peru)
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