Today, after we attended class and lunch, we went to view the penguins on the Otago Peninsula, near Dunedin. The drive there was beautiful, with the road running around Otago Harbor. After we reached the Penguin Reserve, we hiked to the "hides.” These hides are camouflaged, bunker-like structures (similar to hunting blinds) that allowed us to view the penguins without disturbing them. On our way to the first hide we saw a little baby blue penguin, the smallest breed of penguins, in a nest built for them on the side of a hill. From first hide, we saw two yellow eyed penguins - a male and a female preening each other because they had just returned from feeding in the ocean. Our guide said this is how they bond. After taking pictures and videos, we continued on the trail and saw one more penguin under a bush. On the way back, we stopped at another location and watched several blue eyed penguins waddle to their nests from the ocean. In addition to the the penguins, we saw amazing views of the ocean, cliffs and rolling hills with sheep! This was one of the most beautiful places; we ended the day with a homemade, authentic meal of lamb and vegetables prepared for us by Andrea McIvor of Unique Hangis Catering, Dunedin.
-- Ema G
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| Yellow Eyed Penguins |
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| A Slice of the Otago Peninsula |
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