The Photographer's Eye

The Booby: A Remarkable Sailing Companion

Name: Jonathan Jagot
Age: 26
Particularity: Has been sailing around the world since the age of 13

1 / 6

Published 29/11/2024

By Jonathan Jagot

Subscribers Only

Issue: 199

Published: jan. / mar. 2025

Discover this issue

Do you really take enough time to observe the natural world around you when you’re sailing?

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 ...

This article was published in the issue 199. To read the full article, purchase this issue or subscribe from $3/month.