What is it about these little guys in tuxedos? Everyone likes penguins, known as the rockstars of the ecotourism circuit. Ya can't really look at these critters without smiling!! So with penguins on the brain, we caught a bus to Punta Arenas, the capital of Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, the southernmost region in Chile. We explored the city for a few days, while waiting for the winds to die down enough for us to catch a ferry to Isla Magdelena, home at this time of year to over 100,000 waddling squawking, and breeding Magelenic penguins.
We took off on the 2 hour boat ride in a light drizzle, but by the time we arrived at the island the rain had mostly stopped. There's only one boat per day to Magdelena, and the tourists are allowed only one hour to walk around, to keep the impact to a minimum. A good idea, I'm sure, but our presence really didn't seem to bother the little guys at all. Many seemed as curious about us as we were of them. Rangers keep the tourists on the trail, but the penguins are free to go where they please, and have no worries crossing the trail to get to the water, visit a neighbor, or pick up a favorite rock. Or whatever....
LOTS of pixels were exposed during our hour. Huge lenses were everywhere, and I'm sure all came away happy with the results. Here are a few of ours...
Unfortunately after just an hour it was time to board the ferry and head back to Punta Arenas. Could definitely have spent hours more with the little guys. But a great afternoon nonetheless!!!
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