The walking path along Prince Phillip’s Steps is flanked by a forest of palo santo trees. Peer between the thin white branches to catch a glimpse of juvenile red-footed boobies. They are abundant. Estimates suggest there are over 200,000 of these seabirds on Genovesa Island. This youngster is still flightless. Although they tend to leave the nest after three months, they do not become skilled aviators until about five months old. Their average life expectancy in the wild is about twenty years.
