Galápagos Album: Blue-footed boobies
Category: Galapagos • Organisms
Posted on: September 8, 2008 7:08 AM, by PZ Myers
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Comments
Posted by: Cuttlefish, OM | September 8, 2008 7:13 AM
Those boobies are awfully cute
And to think, they're blue-footed, to boot!
Since you post them today
There's just one thing to say
In response to these boobies... just... W00T!
Posted by: LordJiro | September 8, 2008 7:17 AM
Now that is a nice pair of boobies.
Oh, I had to. SOMEONE was going to do it!
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | September 8, 2008 7:21 AM
Is PZ wòót?
Posted by: King of Ferrets | September 8, 2008 7:38 AM
(insert off-color joke of your choice here)
Posted by: David Nielsen | September 8, 2008 7:41 AM
I am taken back to Julia Sweeney's standup routine "Letting go of God". Cute as pie and proof that nature is a cruel place to be these boobies are.
Posted by: Gavin McBride | September 8, 2008 8:00 AM
huhuhuhuhu he said boobies.
Posted by: Cafeeine | September 8, 2008 8:07 AM
Finally, I can have boobies on my work computer and not get in trouble for it!
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | September 8, 2008 8:14 AM
Nice pair o'...feet.
Posted by: SC | September 8, 2008 8:20 AM
Why are their feet blue?
Posted by: randy | September 8, 2008 8:20 AM
I hope you bought a couple of boobie t-shirts. on Santa Cruz or San Cristobal
Posted by: Dale | September 8, 2008 8:24 AM
I prefer a nice pair of tits myself...
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | September 8, 2008 8:25 AM
poor circulation.....
sorry that was bad
This tid bit of info was something I didn't know
60 mph. Damn.
Posted by: Vidar | September 8, 2008 8:39 AM
I think all the off-color comments have already been made, except for this one: (.)(.)
Is it true, that you can just walk up to one of these birds, and pick it up without it protesting too much, or running/flying away?
Posted by: St. Pudalia | September 8, 2008 9:32 AM
Their feet are blue so you can tell them apart from the red-footed boobies. Duh.
Posted by: Michael | September 8, 2008 9:51 AM
Shoot. I got all excited for nothing.
Posted by: Sili | September 8, 2008 10:29 AM
FEETIST!To wit, to wòó†.
Posted by: Karley | September 8, 2008 10:56 AM
Poor wòó†got his thunder stolen.
Posted by: Ron Sullivan | September 8, 2008 11:29 AM
SC, I've seen photos in which BFBs display those feet in a most charming fashion, presumably at each other. When he's in full breeding plumage, a male ruddy duck's bill turns a shade of blue very like that, but it fades before he changes his feather suit for fall. So, bird tastes, go figure I guess.
Many years ago, my little brother handed me a birthday gift: "...something I know you've always wanted!" A print of a British painting of a pair of Great Tits. Thanks, bro'.
Posted by: Peter Ashby | September 8, 2008 11:48 AM
Yes, 60mph. According to the BBC's Galapagos series eventually they go blind because of all that pounding. I suppose you have to die of something, nature red in tooth and claw etc. I was watching Life In The Freezer yesterday and the bit about Weddell seals dying around age 20 vs 40 for other large seals because their teeth wear down and they can't keep their air holes open in the ice reminded me of that. Proof if you needed more that if there was a creator then he/she/it was a sadist of the worst sort.
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | September 8, 2008 11:50 AM
Actually, it's closer to the truth to say that it's so they can tell each other apart from the red-footed boobies. Now, let's talk about blue tits. tWeet!Posted by: Rey Fox | September 8, 2008 1:05 PM
"Why are their feet blue?"
God.
Posted by: Feynmaniac | September 8, 2008 1:37 PM
I'd like to see wÒÓ†out-boobie this!
Posted by: Dave | September 8, 2008 3:15 PM
Vidar
"Is it true, that you can just walk up to one of these birds, and pick it up without it protesting too much, or running/flying away?"
It probably is. I visited an island (Isla Isabela, I think) off the Pacific coast of Mexico some years ago that's a wildlife sanctuary and covered with Boobie nests. We could get within arms reach of them and they didn't flee. I didn't try to pick one up but I'll bet it's easy if they're nesting. They were amazing flyers, like little fighter jets.
Posted by: anthropicOne | September 8, 2008 3:29 PM
Very cool birds. Those feet are great!
Posted by: Mikel | September 8, 2008 4:37 PM
"I'm the weaker blue-footed boobie baby. What are you gonna do?"
I love "Letting Go of God" :)
Posted by: Dale Husband | September 8, 2008 5:56 PM
"Is PZ wòót?"
That would explain why woot has not been banned for insipidity or stupidity, wouldn't it?
Posted by: Wowbagger | September 8, 2008 6:41 PM
These are arguably the coolest birds in the world. Their blue feet are awesome and their mating dance is all about showing them off - it's one of the most fascinating things I've ever seen. Not in real life, unfortunately - but it's still good on tv.
I love blue-footed boobies!
Posted by: JCEvans | September 8, 2008 8:21 PM
# 26 :"Is PZ wòót?"
That would explain why woot has not been banned for insipidity or stupidity, wouldn't it?"
There is something insipid or stupid about booby pics on a biology-oriented blog? Well, at least the type of booby pics in question. Long live woot, the cuttlefish, and the Friday cephalopod for they amuse even when things look pretty dismal.