Paradise Ducks

Despite being struck down with a 2-day fever, I managed to drag myself away from the hostel sofa to go to the Otago Peninsula for a round of wildlife spotting. I managed to get up close to a few very lazy furseals and a set of yellow-eyed penguins. I'll simply leave you with a few pictures of said seal and Tim, the special needs penguin. I was told Tim is the only penguin who tries to get out to sea every night, while all the other penguins of his flock generally make their way home from a day of fishing around that same time. Tim is generally seen waddling around in the water making clumsy attempts at swimming off at twilight. Tim generally fails. He's yet to reach his second birthday, which makes this story a sad one rather than a humorous one. Only 14 percent of yellow-eyed penguins reach their second birthday. This particular type of penguin doesn't teach their young how to swim or feed, so they are left to figure it all out for themselves. And Tim here appears to be having a very hard time.

Fact of the Day:

Paradise Ducks mate for life. You always see them in pairs. When the female dies, the male just sits around and stops feeding itself so it dies too. When the male dies, the female gets up and goes out to find herself another partner. Which was the stronger sex again??