Sula, Sula, whoa, whoa....

....we gotta go now? (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Sorry, but the "Louie, Louie" soundtrack has played in my mind ever since I read the board at the booby park and found out the Latin name of these birds.

Of course, finding the true actual lyrics to "Louie, Louie" is about as easy as spotting a damn booby, even if you're crawling through their nesting grounds.

I recently spent a week on Little Cayman island; mostly for the undersea attractions, but when you're above-ground, on a small sliver of land, you look for other things to do. In my case, there were fabulous beaches...



an amazing tropical trail, complete with cacti in the jungle...



and wonderful sea life.



But no boobies. Well, of the flying, squawking sort.

Little Cayman has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) in the Caribbean, a breeding colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds and several species of heron, and is the country's first RAMSAR site. The 203 acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve, is the place to visit if you're looking for these birds.


However, the frigates, the snowy egrets and the great blue heron are all more easily observed while on the island. Herons, because they are somewhat solitary and stand out, snowy egrets because they are crazy and fly all over the island, and frigates, because in their soaring they reminded me of our local California Condors in the way they rode the air currents over the ponds. But the booby? Here's probably your best glimpse, unless you spent a few days floating in the sanctuary...



Ooops! I meant this is probably your best pic


Yeah, that's they guy, in the upper right corner through the telescope. Those ruby red feet practically burn out your retinas in a view like this, don't they?

So, the expedition, if it can be called that, was less than a success, at least from the avian point of view. However, a calendar was purchased, whose proceeds will benefit the preserve, and, if I'm ever in the neighborhood again, perhaps I'll be lucky enough to spy a booby or two, close up.