Penguins are Blue

Christchurch, July 25th 2015

Due to bad building structure engineering added to guests banging their doors through the night till dawn, I didn't have a good night sleep at my hostel. However, the best thing was I just needed to cross the street and get on this free shuttle towards International Antarctic Centre which is just across Christchurch International Airport.

Highlight of International Antarctic Centre is the penguins. Hence, it's the penguins who get on top of their shuttle bus.

And, highlight of the penguins is the Blue Penguins, the world's smallest penguin weighing around 1 kg and standing just over 25 cm.

 Each penguin here are named, tagged, and known in person.

The current residents of International Arctic Centre.

Each of them have their biography.

The keepers know them by name and remembers well what each of them are going through.

Such as this little Korora, Maori's name for Blue Penguin. She has a problem with her throat. Therefore, the keeper has to open her mouth and put her food (fish) inside.

Those who can eat on their own are just impatient to get their share.

They are all blue. But each of them have their own personality.

That's not something written in my fantasy, I mind you. It's written in that biography list above and on some other pages hung on the wall.

There are those who love to swim more than anything.

There are those who are natural wanderers. Like me? :D

But there are also those prefer to be an observer.

Copying the information board:

The Little Blue Penguin is a dark steely blue colour across its head and back. It is white on the breast and stomach.

The counter-shaded plumage makes it difficult for both marine and aerial predators to see the penguin when they are in the sea. when viewed from under the water the penguin's white underbelly lends into the lighter background. When viewed from above their blue back is a perfect camouflage against the dark sea below.

When they shake, they are not cold, but warm.

"See you later! I'm off to swimming lessons."