Penguin Encounter

We went to the Living Planet Aquarium and did a penguin encounter - it was really cool.  Penguins were my favorite animal as a child and I have always been fascinated by them.

We got suited up in close-toed shoes and coats to go in the penguin room.  It's a small room with benches just outside their enclosure.  They opened the door and let the penguins wander in.  They didn't force any to come in and say hello.  There was always at least one in with us and at one point as many as about 5.

Jake enjoyed it but was a bit freaked especially when the male penguin pictured did a really loud call.  He covered his ears for a long time after that.

This is the same male with his girlfriend - he is bowing to her.  The trainer told us it's a courting ritual.

Syd's arm and toe.  This is as close as they got to us.  We weren't allowed to purposely touch them but he came over and was pecking around us and rubbed up against our legs.  One almost projectile pooped on Jason but he had his game face on and didn't get hit.

A really cool experience!