A broken camera & a case of startitis

Quito, Ecuador

There is nothing like a recently broken camera (don't let your 11 year old borrow your camera!) and a debilitating case of "startitis" in your knitting and quilting hobbies, to get you to finally post some photos of your December trip to Ecuador.

I think I was so overwhelmed by the sheer number of pictures I have, and being tired of not sharing them, here are some of my favorites.

I actually ordered prints and put them in an album this week. It is such a pleasure, looking through the book and reliving the great memories of such a wonderful trip!

The Galapagos tortoises.

They have to be included. They are so ponderous, slow, heavy.

They exude a feeling of oldness and prehistory, all the while appearing to grin at you.

I'm sure E.T. was modeled after them.

A butterfly house.

These have become almost commonplace in big American cities, but this was still a thoroughly enjoyable stop.

Vegetation.

I just loved finding tangled vines in the Amazon jungle. Each one different and special. Wish I had taken more photos of these.

I don't recall the names of most of the plants or animals, but the spiky tree was so much fun.

Our guide peeled off a few sticky spikes and put devil horns on the kids' foreheads.

(I'll have to add a photo!)

Color.

These photos, from Quito and the jungle.
Beautiful things to behold.

...and my favorite animal of all!

This wonderful land iguana put on quite a show, strolling briskly past us.

I just love his face, his color, his bulk (he was big!)

Just like the tortoises, he seems to grin and understand.