Today we had a tour to the Penguin Beach booked for 1:30. Unfortunately the tour to the wine region was also booked. The front desk woke us up with the news that the driver was there to pick us up at 8:45 AM. Uggg! It took some time for us to wake up and I went outside to figure out what was happening. We had been getting up ar 5:30 each morning for the last 6 days so we had hoped to be able to sleep in. No worries, the re-booked us for Saturday, the date that we thought it was originally. Our tour guide had a very interesting story. She studied tourism and did a four month session in Italy. But upon her return she had a hard time getting work in the industry. But she kept at it and now has her own company. That made us glad that we could hire her and be a part of the return of tourism post covid.
We drove along the beach to get to the pengins
The suburbs were fun to watch and see the different parts of the city. Cape Town is a city of over 4 million so it is big
This hillside is trimmed to keep fire away from the homes. Of course now there is little to stop rolling boulders
Naval ships are in port here where there is a base
Palm Trees like this climate
School is out and all the schools have different uniforms
This big rock is called Noah's Ark. I thought that it most be a ship in dry dock wrapped in canvas
They have a nasty bite or so I have heard
Little houses are provided for nesting
The African Penguin is small, much like the Galapagos penguin
The African Penguin was formerly known as the Jackass Penguin. Their call sounds very much like a donkey's braying
A good preening is needed after coming out of the water
We were able to identify the differences between the chicks, yearlings and full adults
The best nesting sites are up on the hill but sand will work in a pinch
The chicks have the brown fluffy down
Or some down and some feathers, it looks like a ratty old sweater
The rain has held off so we are happy
Practicing yoga, the one on the left has turned his head completely over
A muff to keep the neck warm
These two are trying to get food from the adult. I tried to get a picture of them feeding, and tried and tried
This beach is called the boulders
The intermediate feather phase of the chicks is very awkward looking
But it always good to get a little help from a friend
Cool shoes
A whole lot of chicks in a hole
Penguins roost all up the hill behind us
Time for a swim
The majority of these birds nest on two offshore islands
Cool flowers along the walkway
Its a hyrax
Fuzzy butts and stubby legs
More boulders
Some brave kayakers
The contrast of the color of the water with the lichen is nice
Thousands of gulls taking a break on the rocks
The hydrax can climb fences
The penguins can not
Deep in thought
Gulls!
Some nice houses, do they have penguins in their back yard?
I am sure these folks get an earfull from the penguins
Kissing rocks
It has been 131 days since we began out Migration
