Genovesa Island
This small gem of an island in the Pacific Ocean, was at its most fantastic today. It is fascinating to realize that one million birds call this place home. It is no less fascinating that all of them are packed into only 5.4 square miles, which is the size of the island they live on. Genovesa is a birders’ paradise, where many bird species can be observed at extremely close range.
The courting frigate birds were extraordinary today. The males are still trying to attract the attention of their female counterparts. They use every single method possible to call attention to themselves when females fly overhead. Vocalizations, out stretched wings and funny, trembling movements and a huge inflated red gular sack were seen and heard all over the island. But amid all this beautiful mayhem, we noticed that many frigates are already paired. Many pairs were seen in what appears, to us humans, to be affectionate mutual preening. Some were already incubating their eggs.
Second in popularity to the frigates, but very close, were the beautiful and elegant swallow tailed gulls. These marine birds are in simple words: wonderful! Their delicate plumage and the almost-perfect combination of colors make them look like living pieces of art. Just take a look at today’s picture. In this lovely marine bird, black, grey, white and red are expressed in an exquisite natural combination.
This small gem of an island in the Pacific Ocean, was at its most fantastic today. It is fascinating to realize that one million birds call this place home. It is no less fascinating that all of them are packed into only 5.4 square miles, which is the size of the island they live on. Genovesa is a birders’ paradise, where many bird species can be observed at extremely close range.
The courting frigate birds were extraordinary today. The males are still trying to attract the attention of their female counterparts. They use every single method possible to call attention to themselves when females fly overhead. Vocalizations, out stretched wings and funny, trembling movements and a huge inflated red gular sack were seen and heard all over the island. But amid all this beautiful mayhem, we noticed that many frigates are already paired. Many pairs were seen in what appears, to us humans, to be affectionate mutual preening. Some were already incubating their eggs.
Second in popularity to the frigates, but very close, were the beautiful and elegant swallow tailed gulls. These marine birds are in simple words: wonderful! Their delicate plumage and the almost-perfect combination of colors make them look like living pieces of art. Just take a look at today’s picture. In this lovely marine bird, black, grey, white and red are expressed in an exquisite natural combination.
