And here it is, THE PENGUINS!! You knew it was coming at some point this
week, and today was the day :) This is a very picture-heavy post; you
have been warned.
Boulders Beach is on False Bay, to the southeast of Cape Town. It is part of the national park, and it is a protected beach where African penguins come to nest! Once you're in the park, you follow the little boardwalk around to the beach. It's a short little walk, so easy enough for anyone who wants to see.
And there they are! They are RIGHT THERE near the boardwalk. Wild penguins!! See how close they are to the boardwalk?
This little guy was just too cute, standing so properly.
African penguins are unfortunately an endangered species. The several large nesting grounds in South Africa are reporting fewer and fewer breeding pairs each season. Like many animals, humans are having an impact - the fishing industry has depleted their food supply, their beaches are being built up with condos, global warming, pollution, and the occasional oil spill.
We even saw a penguin release today. Several people carrying large cardboard boxes with air-holes and labeled with the Shorebirds Conservancy logo crossed the fence, going off the boardwalk and onto the beach itself. They carried the boxes over to a quieter part of the beach, lined them all up, and then tipped them slowly out. And out came penguins! I didn't get to ask the parks staff (dressed in that standard, international olive green shade used by Parks departments around the globe) if they were rescues or rehabilitated or what. But whatever they were, they were released!
Aside from the pictures I'm in, I think this is my favorite one that I took. I am actually quite proud of it. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment