National Penguin Awareness Day

Happy National Penguin Awareness Day!  I just found out that January 20th is Penguin Awareness Day.  I love penguins!


Here are some facts about penguins (via here):

• The tallest penguin reaches the height of four feet and is called Emperor Penguin. The smallest penguin has a height of 1'3" and is called the Little Blue Penguin.
• The rarest penguin is called the Yellow-eyed Penguin. It is named that because of its eye color and also because of the two yellow strips on its wings. There are only 5000 in the world today. 
• Penguins have a filter just below their beaks. This filter purifies the salt water from the ocean when they drink.
• The mother lays the eggs and the father keeps it warm while waiting for it to hatch. Because they live in colder regions, the egg needs extra warmth to hatch. Thus, the father takes up the role. 
• Penguins don't always go to land to sleep. If they find danger on shore, they can take small naps in the water. 
• Unlike other birds, penguins have their own sign language to communicate. They communicate not only with their voice but also by waving their wings and nodding their heads.

When I was living in South Africa last year, I got to visit a place on the Cape where you can swim and interact with the penguins.  Have you ever seen penguins go up stairs?  It's really cute!

Aren't they amazing!?!

Happy Penguin Day!

Penguins!

Penguins cautiously reside
  on our planet's underside,
where they're careful not to cough,
  lest they trip and tumble off.

~Jack Prelutsky 

The penguins are my favorite thing about South Africa, so far (aside from some awesome people I have met here).

These pictures were all taken at Boulders Beach, near Simon's Town.  These penguins apparently set up shop there in 1982.  It started with just one pair of breeding penguins, and now there are over 3000 penguins!  They are so cute-- they waddle around, climbing stairs, wandering about, and don't seem to pay much attention to the people.  If you want to brave the cold water, you're welcome to take a dip with them; I don't think they'd mind!

I asked my friend Kho if I could take one home with me, but he didn't seem to think that a very good idea.  I guess I'll just have to go back for another visit sometime soon!

XOXO,

Once Upon a Time

The Flora and Fauna of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Table Mountain

Once upon a time, there was a girl whom fortune smiled upon.  One day she boarded a boat (that sailed through the air), and after many hours (and years and weeks and days), she ended up in a land that was far from home.

This land was unlike any she had ever seen…

The sun met the sand, and the ocean and mountains kissed.

She set out immediately to explore it.

She met old friends:

And new friends:

And rather unusual friends:

And these were just the beginning of her adventures...

Stick around for more to come!

XOXO,