Española Island
This week we have started with this year’s family trips, therefore we have many younger guests on board. They really enjoyed a lot today, and two animal species in particular. Their favorite animals were by far the Galapagos sea lions. Others mentioned that their favorites were the blue-footed boobies.
Blue-footed boobies are one of the most emblematic species of the Galapagos Islands. Hardly anyone can avoid feeling attracted by their unusual feet coloration. Blue-footed boobies are not only found in Galapagos. Their home range goes from the Gulf of Baja California to the northern part of Peru. It is also very important to mention that approximately 30 per cent of these colorful birds live in the Galapagos Archipelago. One of the most common questions I have always received while watching these birds is: “Why do blue-footed boobies have blue feet?” Pigments do not produce this unusual blue color. It is structural. In a few words, it is produced by the way light hits their feet. Blue-footed boobies have small air bubbles in their feet that reflect the blue color. Our eyes only perceive the blue light among the various colors of the light spectrum once they rebound from their feet. The beautiful blue coloration is not a standard one. It is possible to see many different shades of blue in the feet of a booby colony.
This week we have started with this year’s family trips, therefore we have many younger guests on board. They really enjoyed a lot today, and two animal species in particular. Their favorite animals were by far the Galapagos sea lions. Others mentioned that their favorites were the blue-footed boobies.
Blue-footed boobies are one of the most emblematic species of the Galapagos Islands. Hardly anyone can avoid feeling attracted by their unusual feet coloration. Blue-footed boobies are not only found in Galapagos. Their home range goes from the Gulf of Baja California to the northern part of Peru. It is also very important to mention that approximately 30 per cent of these colorful birds live in the Galapagos Archipelago. One of the most common questions I have always received while watching these birds is: “Why do blue-footed boobies have blue feet?” Pigments do not produce this unusual blue color. It is structural. In a few words, it is produced by the way light hits their feet. Blue-footed boobies have small air bubbles in their feet that reflect the blue color. Our eyes only perceive the blue light among the various colors of the light spectrum once they rebound from their feet. The beautiful blue coloration is not a standard one. It is possible to see many different shades of blue in the feet of a booby colony.
