In the summer of 2017, I had the great fortune to accompany Professors Ann & Rob Simpson as a photography student on an amazing three-week adventure to Ecuador. Galápagos Islands is a wonderful place to see nature up close and personal. This was a great opportunity for me as a student relatively new to photography to capture every detail of the gorgeous creatures that inhabit this island as they are protected and used to seeing people. Because they don’t feel threatened, they go about their lives as if you aren’t even there. I was able to get some incredible shots on this journey of a lifetime to include this Galápagos Sea Lion soaking up some rays and the Red-footed Booby snuggling with its chick resembling a dirty cotton ball with a face that only a mother (and me) could love. This trip definitely gave me the fever to travel more and see what the world has to offer. It also opened my eyes to ecotourism and the fight to protect the wildlife and the environment they so desperately need to survive. I am thankful to have a supportive family that let me go pursue this passion, the best professors, and to Holbrook for a trip I will never forget.

Tracey Robertson

Ecuador | Lord Fairfax Community College