Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Stomp your feet and go for it

The male Blue-footed Booby initiates romance with a measured stomping of his feet and wing display. The ritual attracts a female who will lead him to reproductive victory if all goes well, if he doesn't, say, trip over one of his smurfy toes or overestimate his stock's appeal to the potential leading lady. It's not as though a discerning female booby has a lot to distinguish one mate from another, so she most likely sorts them on technicalities, vigor, foot shade, wing symmetry. And if she's not interested, she just walks away, doesn't awkwardly apologize or say they should be friends. She doesn't have to worry whether accepting a drink is a promise of something more, as there's a clear line in the volcanic sand between her and the world of slightly smaller, slightly beadier-eyed males. The dance is an explicitly balls-out statement of interest on the part of the male, a limb he's just going to have to climb out on if he wants to pass his illustrious genes along. I'm sure it takes an exceptional amount of confidence to know what you want and go for it via a goofy riverdance reenactment, but that's what gets the play in the Galapagos.

3 Comments:

Blogger Robert Mace Bent said...

Um, this is great writing; funny, pointed, revealing, honest (I would guess). You were in the Peace Corps and you've returned to Amerika? Greenfield seems to qualify as a 3rd wld spot, huh?
Rob

6:55 PM  
Blogger Robert Mace Bent said...

I've been fussing with this comment screen for 20 mins.!! Hope this goes through. Anyway, don't know you but happy b'day; I've actually (arithmetically) turned 30twice, maybe like your friend but doubt it. I enjoyed the booby post; funny, insightful, some healthy degree of honest observation, etc. but mostly funny. Your writing is enjoyable.
Rob

7:16 PM  
Blogger mchughtie said...

Ha, yeah, at times it feels that way. While I might derogate a member of my village (in Africa) for thinking we (Americans) all live in mansions and don't have a moon, I am unsure what to do with the Greenfieldian who says to me, "Don't they all have AIDS?" Ah, but despite its awkward attempts at sensitivity, I love the Greenfield.

10:17 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home