Maybe I have a thing for height-challenged males in tuxedos. Whatever it is, I’m crazy, nuts, gaga, batty, over-the-moon -- about penguins. And I’ve met quite a few of the 17 varieties.
I’ve met Rockhoppers. Their yellow feathers make them look like blonde surfer dudes. They hang out in the Falkland Islands in the far South Atlantic.
I’ve met Emperors, largest of the penguins -- and now stars of a movie -- who brave the chill of Antarctica, huddling together to protect their precious egg, held under the male's front feathers.
And this emerges -- an Emperor chick
And then there are the tiny Galapagos penguins, the only penguins in the northern hemisphere. They hang out on Isabella island in that Equadoran archipeligo, near the cool Humboldt current.
That Pacific sun sure feels good
But most of all, I love the little Magellanics, with their friendly personalities, their full-throated, honking brays, and Charlie Chaplin walks.
aw
I love them so much I traveled to Patagonia –twice -- most recently a year ago in March, to photograph a protected area called Punta Tombo, a wide Atlantic peninsula covered with sand, clay and gravel. Between September and April, hundreds of thousands of penguins come to this site to incubate their eggs, and prepare their offspring for migration - the largest such colony in South America.
The Hamptons for penguins? No, it's their beach at Punto Tomba. Some swim, some sun, some just stand
I spent precious, joyous hours walking and photographing these charming little birds who put up with huge creatures like me who come to gawk.
I'm checking him out. Hmm, a bit short, preening, but maybe age-appropriate
One penguin of each couple stands guards in front of their nest, protecting the eggs from birds and other predators, while the other goes to the sea for food.
Penguin burrows, and guarding penguins dot the peninsula
Couples mate for life.
they chat ...
they flirt ...
they connect ...
And these Magellenics don't seem afraid of humans.
This one is curious, and comes right up to see me ...
This one flops like a dog on the step in front of me ...
And this one, hardly bigger than the rocks, seems to want to follow me home ....
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Comments
Rated for cuteness.
...and I love penguins, too.
Your pix are super, Lea.
They got all sortsa penguins at the zoo in Central Park. I go see 'em. If you get into town...be sure to stop there.
No Aaron, not the hockey team. In this case I prefer the males with feathers.
Buffy, their was no smell, that I remember, except the perfume of one of the other visitors. This is a huge area and there was a fresh ocean breeze. It was all good.
Frank, get a tuxedo and you'll have it all!
In my comment to Buffy, I meant "there" not "their." Usually I don't correct my many comment mistakes, but everyone is getting more careful, because of inclusion on digg and reddit and all that.
Great shots, Lea. What amazing creatures they are. The rockhoppers are ... um ... colourful, shall we say.
As a height-challenged male who's been known to wear a tux ... thank you.
Also Kings. Oh, all of them.
As for the song, I read about that somewhere but it had nothing to do with penguins. Google and I'm sure you'll solve that mystery. What did we do before google when those pesky questions came up?
Rated & Cheers!
Btw, the Emperors are majestic, but not that cute when they become mature. I still love them.
Is that all that you are challenged, mr. wannabe?
I did not see Fairy penguins in Australia, but think I saw a couple at Milford Sound in New Zealand. (Not sure of the type, but they may well be.)
The rest of you, forgive me over-the-top take on these birds, but it's the weekend.
(and thanks, Boa. Yeah, now Bill won't stop calling me to find out the secret. He's still pissed. :))
I have had a lifelong obsession with penguins, they are my absolute favorite animals/creatures/anything. I'm so excited for you that you got to see them in person! And not in a zoo or anything (=
Nature is flawless in design.:)
What a treat that must have been. Cool little animals. All we can boast about here in the desert is chipmunks sitting in our hands while we feed them. :-)
And more specifically, Peter, gotta watch those late nights.
Donna, orcas are fascinating too; they eat meat unlike other whales.
And chipmunks aren't so bad in the cute department, Bob.
And Juliet -- don't ever think about it!
Sorry about your hair color, Theo. Not like a Rockhopper.
replica handbags them it so beautiful and lovely.