Blue-footed booby. The male is on the left. Note the smaller appearing pupil. -- Photo courtesy Wikipedia
“Work like you don’t need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching.” — Aurora Greenway
Journeys
The large white and brown bird with the blue feet didn’t recognize my right to the hiking path. Its Galapagos Island home, where man has not yet imposed his predatory nature, let it assume it was my equal.
I stopped about a foot away and was quickly mesmerized as the two of us, human and bird, stared eye-to-eye. Since the pupils in its pale yellow eyes appeared smaller than that of the bird sitting on two eggs beside the path, I knew I was being confronted by a male booby.
Without taking its eyes from me, the booby blocking my path lifted his bright blue right foot. He gave me a quizzical look, then lifted his blue left foot and then his right foot again. Finally I lifted my tennis-shoe clad right food in reply.
A blue-footed booby, looking as if he was searching for a Dr. Seuss book in which to be a star.
For the next couple of minutes, he and I did a Hokey Pokey. It probably was the same dance he used in courting his mate. Our comedic interlude with music playing only in our heads might have gone on longer if it hadn’t been interrupted by our group’s tour guide, who chaperoned us to keep the Galapagos wildlife safe.
“Don’t tease the bird,” he said when he saw me.
“I’m not,” I replied. “The booby invited me to dance with him.”
At the guide’s disbelieving frown, I moved on down the trail. When I turned back around for one last look at my dancing partner, he raised a blue foot as if saying good-bye.
Such unexpected moments are what travel is all about.
Pat Bean's blog 
They are beautiful! I have seen the Red Footed Bobby but they aren’t quite so animated!
Cute. I didn’t know birds could have blue feet like that.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
What a great story! Now go correct your typo. 😉
My 4th graders were always fascinated when I would show videos of this bird to them each year. They loved learning about this species and always got a kick out of the name. 😀
Hi, I am Jackie: they are so beautiful, I love animals. I hope you will join me on blog buddies challenge with wordpress. Have a great nitght
I live for ‘unexpected moments” in travel. I love those blue-feet! Wonderful creatures and lovely story- they invited you to dance, they liked you. 😉
Wonderful moment. How many of us get the chance to dance with a partner with blue-feet? Great story.
What beautiful birds they are. Nice post, enjoyed hearing about your dance with the bird. 🙂
[…] Dancing With a Blue-footed Partner (via Pat Bean’s blog ) Filed under: Uncategorized by newbunny — Leave a comment March 10, 2011 “Work like you don't need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching.” — Aurora Greenway Journeys The large white and brown bird with the blue feet didn't recognize my right to the hiking path. Its Galapagos Islan … Read More […]
That’s so cute. Now, what color was your tennis shoes?
Oh, and congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Great story with great photos. I particularly enjoyed the caption on the second photo. I’m glad I had swallowed my tea before reading it or the computer screen might have gotten a good spray. lol!