Genovesa Island
Today our main focus was looking for different types of birds, and for that purpose there is no better place than this. During our stay on Genovesa Island we saw vast quantities of them, as a matter of fact common estimates of sea bird population numbers here run into the millions, and we have absolutely no trouble in imagining this, as anywhere we look there they are.
Genovesa is an island separated from the rest of the archipelago by deep waters, and has hence never been connected to the central islands by land bridges. No terrestrial reptiles or mammals have ever made it here, making it the exclusive domain of winged creatures. It has thus earned the nickname “Bird” or “Hitchcock’s” Island, and it can truly be considered a paradise for birds.
Our experience today was unforgettable: while trying to dry our feet, a booby family joined us. They seemed to be as surprised as we were, and they carefully observed us as we put our shoes on, getting ready to explore this natural wonder.
We can only try to guess what they were thinking of us, but there is absolutely no doubt that they were as surprised and curious as we were. Maybe they were wondering what kind of creature we were, or what purpose the strange things we clad our feet in had. And what function exactly do all those colours play, is it maybe a courtship display, but why do they seem so random?
Later in the day we saw boobies mating, courting, flying, feeding, and watching us as we walked by. No doubt we had a great day.
Today our main focus was looking for different types of birds, and for that purpose there is no better place than this. During our stay on Genovesa Island we saw vast quantities of them, as a matter of fact common estimates of sea bird population numbers here run into the millions, and we have absolutely no trouble in imagining this, as anywhere we look there they are.
Genovesa is an island separated from the rest of the archipelago by deep waters, and has hence never been connected to the central islands by land bridges. No terrestrial reptiles or mammals have ever made it here, making it the exclusive domain of winged creatures. It has thus earned the nickname “Bird” or “Hitchcock’s” Island, and it can truly be considered a paradise for birds.
Our experience today was unforgettable: while trying to dry our feet, a booby family joined us. They seemed to be as surprised as we were, and they carefully observed us as we put our shoes on, getting ready to explore this natural wonder.
We can only try to guess what they were thinking of us, but there is absolutely no doubt that they were as surprised and curious as we were. Maybe they were wondering what kind of creature we were, or what purpose the strange things we clad our feet in had. And what function exactly do all those colours play, is it maybe a courtship display, but why do they seem so random?
Later in the day we saw boobies mating, courting, flying, feeding, and watching us as we walked by. No doubt we had a great day.
