Blue-Footed Boobies, left

January 25, 2013
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Stomping boobies - I don't know whether they're male or female, as both seem to dance, and sometimes twine necks, although I didn't get pictures of that action.

Journaling: The day after our arrival in the Galapagos we visited Isla Española. Our afternoon hike took us up narrow, rocky hilly paths, that turned to follow the cliffs on the other side of the island. Just past the ridge, we encountered a colony of blue-footed boobies - and their feet and legs were really blue!

All were engrossed in courting and “nest” building. The nests consist only of a few twigs and some dry grass collected on a level spot on the ground. Courting involves repeated foot-stomping. with some rocking back and forth. Partners also present each other with nest-building materials. And we were very close - I had to focus on one booby between the arms of two fellow hikers.

It was late afternoon; most of the birds were in the blue shadows of the rocky ridge. But a few were spot lit by the setting sun until their brown plummage glowed. What a wonderful end to a fantastic day!

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