“You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you're finished, you'll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird... So let's look at the bird and see what it's doing — that's what counts. I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”
Source: Richard P. Feynman, "What Do You Care What Other People Think?": Further Adventures of a Curious Character
Posted: 2025 Nov 28
And check out this post for more of Richard Feynman's world view.
After visiting the Galapagos so long ago, I made an effort to emulate the blue-footed booby’s mating dance. The only thing it stimulated Joan to was helpless laughter. Oh, yeah, I got a sore back.
Jim T
Jim T – That comes perilously close to TMI. As for the specifics of the (failed) dance, I assume you remembered to pick up a small twig in your mouth, show it to Joan, and then casually toss it away. That can make all the difference, or so I hear.
How dare you invade his territory! Great photo.
Judith – Thanks! I swear they have this startled/stupid look all the time, independent of events. An odd way to go through life.
He/she? Reminds me of Big Bird with a bleach job, which might account for the startled look.
Alison – I don’t know the he/she-ness. I think I knew which was which at the time (lead dancer was male, egg sitter was female – I think) but now I don’t remember which booby-ish look went with which booby.