The Booby: A Remarkable Sailing Companion
Name: Jonathan Jagot Age: 26 Particularity: Has been sailing around the world since the age of 13
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Publié le
28/11/2024
Par
Jonathan Jagot
Numéro :
199
Parution :
Jan.
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Mar.
2025
Do you pay enough attention to all those little things that, by dint of familiarity, sometimes end up becoming invisible, like pigeons in big cities or seagulls by the sea? If we stop for a moment and pay attention to these wonders that have become commonplace, nature reveals herself anew, full of secrets and wonder. One of my favorite sea companions is the Booby. They are great travelers and take advantage of their large wingspan - up to 6 feet (1.9 m) - to optimize their flight. Pragmatic, they don’t hesitate to land on our multihulls for a night’s rest. On their legs, these birds sometimes mimic comical characters with their heads reminiscent of a made-up clown. Despite the inevitable ‘calling cards’ they leave on deck, I am always welcoming to them, as I am aware of the hardships they face as they brave storms and rough seas. Not all of them return to the nest, where their chicks await them, beaks wide open, hoping for a meal of freshly caught fish.
These seabirds are also true marine acrobats: capable of diving from heights of over 100 feet (30 meters), they reach speeds of up to 60 miles an hour (100 km/h) when they hit the water. Their bodies are adapted to withstand this impressive impact: air chambers around their necks and chests cushion the impact, and their nostrils close tightly to prevent water from seeping in. A feat that enables them to catch fish spotted from the sky, sometimes at dizzying heights. It is undoubtedly their incredible diving that has earned them their reputation of being a little mad, rather than their appearance on deck.
Boobies are truly fascinating, and they always inspire me!
