Issue #2 - May 2007
Rockhopper Penguin at Cape Otway
During a recent camping trip to the coast near Cape Otway, on Australia's southern coastline, Sarah and I had a rare encounter. Fairy Penguins are numerous along these shorelines, but meeting a Rockhopper is far less common. And meet it we did! Many penguins seem relatively unconcerned by human presence, and as you can see, this fellow was quite content allowing us to get up close.
The lack of long head plumes indicates this is a juvenile Penguin. The nearest breeding colony of Rockhoppers would be either Macquarie Island or New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands, over 1000 kilometres away. Notice the barbs on tongue and roof of mouth (photo 2) - ideal for catching those krilly critters!
Happy feet!
