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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
Usually the penguins are quite far away when they are porpoising in towards the colony and take it slower as they approach the beach. This yellow-eyed penguin was in a rush though to get to the beach party and was still jumping out of the water when it was maybe 60m away. It's a stunning sight!
These yellow-eyed penguins were going home fast: there was a beach party going on and they wanted to be part of it. We spotted them well offshore porpoising home but as soon as they come near the beach they put the brakes on and slow down to check out what's happening on the beach. During winter we sometimes spot our yellow-eyed penguins as they make their way home from fishing - not just down on the beach but we might even get a glimpse of them walking through the forest. They certainly were somewhat intrigued by the stranger hiding behind some trees! They really are quite nosy! Our yellow-eyed penguins do like to hang out in their houses, even if they have no eggs or chicks. This is a young female who decided to stay home for the day and take a day off.
Yellow-eyed penguins are such sociable birds and keen to talk to each other and spend time on the beach. Here a penguin is greeting a new arrival on the beach and accompanies it through the crowd! |
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