I have now actually set foot on all the continents. This was exciting, but not as exciting as being less than half a dozen feet from Gentoo Penguins.
We boarded the zodiac for a short ride to the beach where we stepped into the water and walked a few steps on the rocky water to the shore. As I looked to the right, I was not the only one coming ashore. Two penguins swan up and climbed out of the water less than 3 yards from me. To the left dozens of ere a female penguin had decided to build her nest. Her chosen male was busy selecting pebbles and bringing the to her for her to approve and add to the stone nest. It did not seem like a very soft place to lay eggs and sit on them, but I guess penguins are well padded in that area of their anatomy.
The Rookery was at the top of the hill, but I did not make
it all the way. The snow was slushy and
I kept sinking in spite of the poles with “snow baskets.” The penguins traveled on their own path, the
“penguin highway.” It was easy to see
because it was quite pink from the penguin’s diet of pink krill. There was a strict protocol when those going
up met those coming down. Very British –
keep to the left.
One penguin was an individualist. He avoided the penguin highway. Instead, he went cross country, parallel to
the usual route. The snow was soft and
deep, so after a few steps, he (or she) lost balance and did a faceplant in the
snow. Uninhibited, the penguin got up,
shook off and continued. This went on
for as long as I watched. Some people
(and penguins) just do not want to be like others.
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