I was really torn before our visit to Puerto Madryn in Argentina. We had time to visit either the Península Valdés (Valdes Peninsula) UNESCO World Heritage Site or Punta Tombo Magellanic Penguin Colony, the largest in South America.
The arid Península Valdés
Both these options presented a rare opportunity. I love UNESCO sites and try to include them whenever possible. But how can you turn down the chance to see a penguin colony?
Our decision was made even more difficult when our stop at the Falkland Islands, where we were going to visit a Gentoo penguin colony, was cancelled because of bad weather.
The closest we got the the Falkland Islands
In the end , we got the best of both worlds, when we got to see a Magellanic penguin colony on the Valdes Peninsula. What a beautiful moment!
Within the Península Valdés World Heritage Site is the Caleta Valdés (Valdes Creek) penguin colony. While nowhere near the size of the colony at Punta Tombo, it still has around 46,500 breeding pairs.
Caleta Valdés
Amazingly, there were only two breeding pairs at Caleta Valdés in the early 1960s. Now that’s a success story!
In the 1960’s, this would have been the entire Caleta Valdés colony
Where possible, Magellanic penguins like to nest in burrows in the ground.
Penguin burrows at Caleta Valdés
A Magellanic penguin in its burrow
Home Sweet Home
Although they nest on/in the ground, penguins are obviously happier in the ocean.
Time for a swim
Nearly there…
Bliss!
Magellanic penguins can reach up to about 28 inches in height and 10 pounds in weight.
A Magellanic penguin
Penguin portrait
Preening is very important for keeping feathers clean and waterproof.
Time for a little preen
Magellanic penguins are monogamous, meaning they keep the same partner for several breeding seasons.
Holding flippers
Preening each other
This post was inspired by the photo themes of Feathers from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Rare from Ben of The Daily Post, and Ground from Dale of Spun With Tears.
Sorry I’m all blurry… I got a bit overexcited!
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Thank you for sharing these pictures, they are so cute ❤ I envy you for having an opportunity to see them
It was a special experience, Nadine, that’s for sure!
Wonderful photos! Penguins always look so happy.
And I was the happiest of all!
OHHH! How gorgeous are those penguins! 😀 How wonderful that you found this colony unexpectedly … and how wonderful that they are such a breeding success as sadly a lot of seabirds are currently being badly hit by climate changes. Thankyou for sharing this visit to Valdes peninsular – I love penguins 😀
I love penguins too, Peggy! I was so lucky to see them!!
so beautiful. you made a good choice :-). it makes me happy when some species, instead of coming close to extinction (which is often the case) manage to recover and thrive.
It was a wonderful experience, Klara. And that day we also saw sea lions, elephant seals, and a whole bunch of birds and animals inland (more posts to follow, I think!).
Cute penguins!
Aren’t they just, Katherine?!
Wonderful pics – capture a sense of penguin fun and affection! Thanks for sharing them.
My pleasure, Rob!