World Penguin Day

Where better than Boulder's Beach in South Africa on World Penguin Day? Nowhere if you want to see the African penguin, also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin. It is confined to southern African waters and is known as the "jackass" penguin for its donkey-like bray. Adults weigh on average 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb) and are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall. It has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask; the body upper parts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts, which are spotted and marked with a black band. The pink gland above their eyes helps them to cope with changing temperatures. When the temperature gets hotter, the body of the African penguin sends more blood to these glands to be cooled by the air surrounding it. This then causes the gland to turn a darker shade of pink.

 This is what is hiding behind that fence: a nesting penguin.

 You looking at me?

 Catching some rays on the sand. The juveniles are brownish fur balls.

 Me and my shadow.

 Everyone in the pool!

 Everyone out of the pool!

 View across the bay to Fish Hoek.

 Kayakers in the kelp heading towards the penguins.

 Adult sitting over the chick, keeping it cool.

 Some use the shelters provided by the park for their nests.

 Teenage years are hard!

Little penguin and big boulders!

Peace my friends!