photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighty-three: Impressions of the Galapagos – an extended photo-essay > Curious Blue Footed Booby. Punta Saurez, Epsanola Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador, 2012
previous | next
22-JUN-2012

Curious Blue Footed Booby. Punta Saurez, Epsanola Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador, 2012

These humorous looking sea birds are usually photographed with emphasis on their blue webbed feet, a feature which easily identifies them. However, for this image, I decided to photograph one of them looking directly into the camera with a profoundly curious (or confused) look on its face. I reveal its identity by placing a more familiar side-view of a Blue Footed Booby just behind it, but in soft focus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
1/640s f/6.3 at 128.0mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis03-Aug-2012 19:18
Throughout our visit to the Galapagos, we found it very easy to humanize the creatures that live there. Yet this can lead to false conclusions. The Booby, for example, can appear to be foolish, and is easy to laugh at. Yet nature has made them what they are for a reason, and it is easy to lose sight of that. We had to continuously think beyond the easy stereotype, and respect these birds for their magnificent fishing skills, instead of seeing them as bizarre characters. Perhaps this bird did see a reflection of something in my lens, however. At very least, it seems quite curious, and this expression says just that.
Carol E Sandgren03-Aug-2012 04:41
Maybe he sees his reflection in your lens! I do love the expression. It's fun to humanize creatures like this.
Phil Douglis26-Jul-2012 20:35
The looker is looked at, indeed. The result: either curiosity (more than likely) or confusion. It simply does not know what to do about that lens staring at its face.
Tim May26-Jul-2012 17:31
The looker is looked at. If it had had a camera I bet it would be showing a photograph of the man starring at it.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment