Here are the Little Penguins :) They are the only penguins found in Australia, and I have them here in Warrnambool! Unfortunately we are now unable to access the island so I have to settle for a photo of these adorable creatures at the zoo. I was still very happy as last time I was at the zoo, the penguins were locked away because a fox had killed several of them. They are the smallest penguins in the world, about 20 cm (8") tall and adorable :) I had the privilege of "sleeping" with them in 2002 on the island and will never forget the magical experience! Hence they are one of my most favourite animals :)
I only just watched "OddBall" on the weekend....such a beautiful story about these wonderful little penguin's being saved. I guess the reason you can no longer go on the island, is because of the conservation ofr the penguins? Lovely capture of these cute little critters.....sleeping with them would have been amazing!
@beryl No he actually is getting out of the pond that was between him and me! Looks very awkward too :) @leggzy Glad you liked Oddball - I was an extra in the movie for one second! Yes, conservation is the reason they give for excluding us off the island now - it's a pity for us penguin loving people, specially since they built a walkway (that's why we slept there - to protect the equipment!) to keep us on track!
A lovely capture of these cute little guys. We are lucky to still have access to our Penguin Island. It is quite a tourist attraction and is only closed at nesting time. There are lots of boardwalks to protect the penguins and other birds that breed on the island.
I have this thought in the back of my head that they changed the name from Fairy Penguin to Little Penguin because of the other connotations of the word "fairy"?
@merrelyn Terrific that you can still access your island! We built the walkway for the same reason, but unfortunately some tourists drowned near the other island in wild seas (definitely should not have been out on rocks) so council closed access to the islands all year round. @terryliv I think your absolutely right :)
@gilbertwood We have a sandbar between the island and the mainland, but that has been closed because some people drowned a couple of years ago. There has been ferry access to island for years.
@leggzy Glad you liked Oddball - I was an extra in the movie for one second! Yes, conservation is the reason they give for excluding us off the island now - it's a pity for us penguin loving people, specially since they built a walkway (that's why we slept there - to protect the equipment!) to keep us on track!
@terryliv I think your absolutely right :)
They are gorgeous Fav.