Boulders Beach, SimonstownSo, we've done whales... now it's time to waltz with penguins...
The Boulders Beach penguin colony was formed in about 1983 and is now home to some 3000 (or more) African Penguins. The penguins were formally known as Jackass Penguins because they bray - loudly - just like donkeys. This time of year is the moulting season and the penguins, having gone on a massive feeding frenzy in the preceding months, come ashore to moult. During this time they're particularly vulnerable. They can't go into the sea to feed and have to conserve energy. So, what you see is a lot of penguins lolling about looking decidedly scrappy and scruffy - and lethargic!
Conserving energy on a sunny rock
Click to enlarge images above and below to read more about penguins and moulting
Hanging about, all a-moult...A wooden boardwalk leads visitors down to the rocks and onto the beach. The beach and rocks themselves are not accessible, so as to give the penguins some space and peace. However, when not moulting, the penguins can be found everywhere, on the beach, on the rocks and in the neighbouring gardens - and they can get decidedly territorial! It goes without saying the penguins make a lot of mess and dig deep hollows for nesting. Not really the sort of bird you'd want in your garden... (about as bad as guinea fowl really....)
Early moult and late moult. The penguin in the front is pretty much in his new feathers. The one in the rear of the image is decidedly mid-moult!
Now, open wide... Didn't you just always want to stare down a penguin's throat...
Sunbathing
Me and my shadow 
Sssh, I'm meditating
Not now! I'm resting! Point that camera somewhere else!(I know it looks peaceful, but there were a gazillion tourists all snapping away and making a lot of ooh and ah and other noisy sounds!)
Plump and shy, getting ready to shed my feathers...
Teenage penguin
Please do not disturb
Stepping out - and looking decidedly "lean"
A final view of penguins slumbering on the rocks
32 comments:
this is great - I'll show it to LG, she has quite a thing for penguins.
We saw a documentary some time ago about penguins in S Africa - it was hysterical, they were popping into peoples' swimming pools, picking their way between sunbathers and nicking peoples sunglasses
:-D
When I danced waltz 2 years ago I looked like a Penguin.
Fabulous!
I always think that there is something amazing about a penguin.
The other evening I asked my husband if he knew there where penguins and whales in SA, without hesitation he said "Yes" - so I kept my mouth shut. I honestly had no idea... :D
Woh! That was brilliant! AV
I'm sure there's a lesson in it somewhere for us over-fed humans :???:
When I visited my Mum the other day in the dementia unit where she resides, she took one look at me and said...
"you look like a penguin"
I was wearing a black cardigan over a white blouse. She still knows how to make me smile!
Awwwwwwwww (too many 'w's?). That first shot is simply amazing, I'd have to travel 100's of kms to get something so gorgeous. We have an Island in Victoria, Phillip Island which is a fairy penguin sanctuary with a similar setup. Boardwalks to protect their habitat and you can watch them coming in at night all fat and falling over full o fish! It's almost possible to forget the desperate politics and economic frustration of SA looking at this little snippet of Eden. Plump and shy is my new screen saver - just like me!
I was taught by several penguins in primary school. No - sorry those were nuns. They look similar but the Sisters were far more bad-tempered!
Great pics AV. I love the little pingus - they are great value!
OH, and I love your notes underneath the pictures! The lean one, sucking in his stomach, hAHA: aND CAN i HAVE ONE OF THOSE SIGNS that tell my visitors to look under their cars for penguins? Just great post! Made me giggle!
How fabulous! Imagine finding a penguin in your garden.
CJ xx
They are incredibly feisty, Lettuce - and by that you can read "stroppy" - cross their turf at your peril. If you're in their spot, they won't hesitate to nip you. Not half as cute as they look! :-)
Yep, those dress suits, all black and white will definitely make anyone look like a penguin, Ropi :-)
Ah, see, Miladysa, we have all sorts here! ;-)
Aha, so you've been imitating Pingu, have you, Steph! :-)
Glad to be able to keep you in screensavers, Baino! And yes, when you look at just the beauty, it's easy to forget about all the other stuff.
I have to concur, Janey, there is a definite resemblance between penguins and nuns! ;-)
So glad you enjoyed the post, Angela! ;-)
Ooh, you snuck in there, CJ! I know, it must be both wonderful and worrying finding a penguin in the garden! :-) xxx
Green with envy at the first shot and sign me up for the sign as well. Only penguins I've seen have been in a zoo!
wonderful! Last year, my favorite tv people (Arte - a joint Franco-German project) did a show on this very place. The penguins were EVERYWHERE (much to the chagrin of some of the residents, I took it) What with the moult and the poop and the noise, your readers are probably getting the best of the experience - well, I would still like to see them up close, though.
Merci, av!
Plump and shy... so cute.
makes me want to go on holiday!! I'm jealous :P
Funny how it seems wrong almost to see penguins walking on sand! So conditioned to expect snow...
How do you take such great pics constantly, Vanilla?! Those penguins are fabulous – and I like the sign, too.
Hi Absoulte Vanilla, Great post! i have a funny penguin joke you may like:
So this penguin walked into a bar and said "Has my father been in here?" "I don't know," the bartender said."What does he look like?" hahaha!
I was lucky enough to go to Boulder's and Loved it! We had to go back twice in one trip, coulden't get enough of those penguins! Charming! Thank you for sharing,
x
That's awful not to have seen a "real" penguin, VV! You definitely need to head south for a visit! :-)
It is pretty smelly down there, RLB, and they do get everywhere - they're pretty, erm, determined ito their "rights"! :-) The hollows they dig for nesting are on average about 60cms across and about 30 cms deep - so you don't really want them digging up your garden for nesting purposes - though I'm sure the "fertilizer" might come in handy!
They are very cute, Susan!
Phoo, I seem to always make you jealous, Saaleha, nice to see you out and about in the blogosphere again! ;-)
Funny, Megan, I've never seen penguins on snow - except in pictures, so these seem totally "normal" to me! :-)
I honestly don't know, MD, but thanks! ;-) I suppose it does help to have a good camera and lenses.
How cool that you've been to Boulders, Lori Ann! They are very special to watch and see, aren't they.
Loved your joke ;-)
I'm sorry I never made it here when I saw your comments on GBs blog.
Fascinating life everywhere around the World.
Thanks for sharing all the photos.
Cheers from indy-anna!
The pen(guin) is mightier than the sword(fish). But you're less likely to find a swordfish under your car.
Hi Indy-Anna Coffee Messiah, thanks for popping in and for the link :-) This is the great thing about blogging, we get to learn so much more about each other and all the different corners of the world.
Oh Debi - you crack me up! I'm just thinking though how very smelly any swordfish under the car would smell... worse than a pingu, probably! ;-)
This is so awesome! I'm bringing Oldest here to read about penguins and whales. She absolutely loves penguins so she will really enjoy this post!
Lovely penguin pics, Vanilla. Thanks.
Well you certainly made good on your promise!
These are so fun and they look great in their suits!
What a treat to have that close to you. Vanilla, you truly live in a beautiful place.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Hope Oldest enjoys the post, Ello! :-)
Thanks, Signs!
It certainly is very beautiful, Scarlett, if it didn't have all its other problems, it would be paradise.
These are so neat! I never really thought that penguins would be in Africa but it makes sense now!
I loved the movie, "March of The Penguins"!
The penguins are charming. The new Academy of Science in San Francisco has a penguin exhibit with a live penguin cam!
Berst picture ... I sniggered at the last one though :o) but I would check honest guv!
It's funny MOI, I never really imagine penguins on snow or ice, though I realise that's more usual! :-)
A live penguin cam must be pretty neat, Princess Haiku - they can be very comical :-)
The last one is a goodie, isn't it, Laquet, and yes, I think it would be worth checking because they wander everywhere! ;-)
Yes but it is also very uncomfortable.
Cool! I love penguins and just gave my grandson a stuffed toy penguin today. :0) He loves it too!
Now my favorite is "Me and My Shadow" but they are all great!! I have never seen a sign telling me to watch for penguins under my car before. :)
LOL! Ropi, D says the same thing about having to wear his "penguin suit"! :-)
Well, I hope from now on Lisa, you'll be checking for penguins under your car! ;-)
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