Genovesa Island
This morning, I was eager to disembark on the lovely coral beach hidden in the northwestern corner of Darwin Bay, Genovesa. Behind the beach, along a margin of white sand that separates the ocean from the lava cliffs are a row of stubby red mangrove trees. In these trees one can find the messy twig nests of red-footed boobies. In one particular mangrove tree, among its glossy green leaves, is a noteworthy nest. I know the chick that sits on this whitewashed twig platform; well, I sort of know him (or her?). In any case, I can remember when he was still just an egg and I know that he hatched right around October 24.
I was actually relieved this morning to find that this fat booby chick (I last saw him on November 14) is still healthy and safe. Today he was quietly preening his new emerging flight feathers and waiting for his parents to return from their fishing to feed him. He is now 9 weeks old but he is not “home free” yet. Thus far he has avoided marauding frigates (they will grab an unguarded chick right off the nest) and his parents have apparently been able to keep up with his growing appetite. But the most difficult challenge is still ahead. In a couple more months he must learn to fly and then to plunge dive for fish. His parents will feed him for a time while he perfects his fishing skills, but when they stop regurgitating fish that they have caught for him, I hope he has conquered the art of plunge diving and will make it on his own.
On the Lindblad Website for the Polaris Daily Expedition Reports you can see photos of this same bobby chick at 2 weeks (Nov. 8) and 3 weeks (Nov. 15) of age. In those early days he always had a parent in attendance because he was small and vulnerable to frigate predation. Now he sits and waits alone. With luck we will be able to follow his development for a couple more months. Buena suerte pajarito!
This morning, I was eager to disembark on the lovely coral beach hidden in the northwestern corner of Darwin Bay, Genovesa. Behind the beach, along a margin of white sand that separates the ocean from the lava cliffs are a row of stubby red mangrove trees. In these trees one can find the messy twig nests of red-footed boobies. In one particular mangrove tree, among its glossy green leaves, is a noteworthy nest. I know the chick that sits on this whitewashed twig platform; well, I sort of know him (or her?). In any case, I can remember when he was still just an egg and I know that he hatched right around October 24.
I was actually relieved this morning to find that this fat booby chick (I last saw him on November 14) is still healthy and safe. Today he was quietly preening his new emerging flight feathers and waiting for his parents to return from their fishing to feed him. He is now 9 weeks old but he is not “home free” yet. Thus far he has avoided marauding frigates (they will grab an unguarded chick right off the nest) and his parents have apparently been able to keep up with his growing appetite. But the most difficult challenge is still ahead. In a couple more months he must learn to fly and then to plunge dive for fish. His parents will feed him for a time while he perfects his fishing skills, but when they stop regurgitating fish that they have caught for him, I hope he has conquered the art of plunge diving and will make it on his own.
On the Lindblad Website for the Polaris Daily Expedition Reports you can see photos of this same bobby chick at 2 weeks (Nov. 8) and 3 weeks (Nov. 15) of age. In those early days he always had a parent in attendance because he was small and vulnerable to frigate predation. Now he sits and waits alone. With luck we will be able to follow his development for a couple more months. Buena suerte pajarito!
