Thursday, February 24th
Morning was overcast. We were off the ship by 7:30AM to meet our guide for our trip to the Estancia san Lorenzo. The ride out to the estancia was over 2 hours. After we entered the Pennisula Valdez, the roads were unpaved but in pretty good shape. We saw lots of sheep and several guanaco (look like big llamas).
After about an hour on the unpaved roads, we arrived at Estancia san Lorenzo which has the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the area.
Madeline, a naturalist from the Estancia, gave us a guided tour and explained many things about the penguins. Penguin “couples” usually mate for life and will return to the same nests year after year. Male and female parents are equally responsible for raising their offsprings. The males are usually larger and have a wider beak. The babies are much plainer when they are young and get their distinct stripes after 2 moltings. After 2 moltings, the babies are also able to go in to the sea. This is a fairly new colony…only about 40 years old.
The BIG penguins………
We had a very nice, traditional meal (at least Charlie, Delia and I did…..Rich drank wine!!!)
On the way out of the Estancia, we encountered the following, documenting that PENGUINS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!!!!
All in all, we had another great day visiting the penguins. When we returned to the dock, we found that we had been visited by some sea lions…..fun way to end the day!!!
Tomorrow is our last sea day and last Formal Night. We have been invited to join the Staff Captain at the Captain’s Table for dinner…..guess I’ll have to dress up (Bobbie….I’ll even try to put make up on!!!!)
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