Bright sun, 27 C.
Up early and on the bus for a 2 1/2 hour ride [100 KM] to a penguin colony that has a reputed 800,000 birds there, adults, juveniles and chicks or youngsters The journey was pleasant enough on a comfortable bus half empty. However, the highway was paved but a terrible paving job as the bus bumped and swayed all the way and back. Originally I thought that it was bad shock absorbers. We buckled up when this happened.
They have done a wonderful job of making sure the pathways do not interfere with the passage of the penguins making their way from the sea to their awaiting chicks in the nests strewn across the hilly countryside. A great deal of the one and a half kilometre walk is elevated so the birds can cross without interference from the many visitors.
The birds make their nests inland some distance, maybe a mile or so. They feed their young each day, one parent staying behind, the other out fishing. The distance they swim daily varies. The guide stated 500 kilometres but I have to verify that somehow. They have two eggs and often only one survives.
The weather was unbelievable today, fantastic.
We are at the half way point in weeks, five done, five to go and heading north. I dare not say heading 'Home', but in reality we are homeward bound.
They have done a wonderful job of making sure the pathways do not interfere with the passage of the penguins making their way from the sea to their awaiting chicks in the nests strewn across the hilly countryside. A great deal of the one and a half kilometre walk is elevated so the birds can cross without interference from the many visitors.
The birds make their nests inland some distance, maybe a mile or so. They feed their young each day, one parent staying behind, the other out fishing. The distance they swim daily varies. The guide stated 500 kilometres but I have to verify that somehow. They have two eggs and often only one survives.
The weather was unbelievable today, fantastic.
We are at the half way point in weeks, five done, five to go and heading north. I dare not say heading 'Home', but in reality we are homeward bound.
Outside our balcony. The Argentinian flag.
The penguins use the shade of a walkway. You may be able to see penguins on the far hill. The walkway is about 400 meters from the beach. The mild wind at the beach helps keep the odour tolerable.
That is a Magellan Penguin. [Magellanic Penguin]
These critters have the Right of way and are heading for the ocean to go fishing for the chicks who are sticking around the nest.
Guanaco, related to the camel and looks like a llama.
I am not quite sure why they are hanging around the ocean.
We two, taken by Jim. Thousands of penguins at the shore.
Jim's first Mexican Standoff!
A painting in the gift shop.
No comments:
Post a Comment