Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

I was moved by the fluidity of this frigate bird pair, turning to look at each other with such grace. The male is displaying by ballooning out the impressive red sac beneath his throat, spreading his wings, and calling out eerily. They seem to move like dancers and are likely part of the inspiration for human dance. The frigate has a wingspan of 8 feet when fully spread and dominates the other seabirds, characteristically stealing food from them in mid flight. This image expresses a unique travel moment when I was privileged to camp in a seabird colony and witness their lives intimately. I felt invisible to the great frigates nesting in the surrounding vegetation and going about their lives. I was part of something humanity has mostly lost connection with. Vibrant and expressive, these birds will always inspire me in their elegance.