Ten or twelve years ago, Mr Wren and I took a trip to Hawaii. We loved every minute of it, and had all those memories with us when we returned in May. One of my favorite memories is the Hawaiian penguins.
Tropical paradise is home sweet home for African black-footed penguins
Almost every day on our first trip, we walked past the Hilton to get to the beach. One morning I split off to grab some coffee. In the course of looking for the coffee shop, I saw a great deal of the hotel grounds, including the various animal displays. When we caught up with each other, I told how him cool the penguin exhibit was, and he thought I was kidding. No way penguins could live in the tropics – not when they have evolved to be happy in Antarctica!
No, I insisted. This was for real, and on the way back he could see for himself.
Of course, we went back and I couldn’t find the penguins.
I love the expression on the face of the right-most penguin
Now, not only is he doubting me, but he’s also teasing me unmercifully. Stubborn runs in my family, so I returned yet again, asked for directions to the penguins, and dragged him over to see them. We both learned for the first time that there are tropical penguins, including those in South Africa. Mr. Wren took several photos, one of which became a favorite and which is framed and hanging in the family room. Penguins became a family joke after we recounted the adventure on our return, and we have acquired over the years a collection of penguin figures, drawings, cartoons, toys, and other memorabilia.
We were delighted on our return to Honolulu to learn that the Hilton still had its penguins. Not only that, but the penguins we saw years ago were still part of the exhibit.
Who's the fairest penguin in the land?
The photos in this post were all taken on our 2009 trip. I’ll have to find the photos (print only) from the earlier trip and scan them in.
Sunbathing turtles don't need sunscreen
In addition to the penguins, the Hilton has a several other animals in the enclosure, and several other exhibits. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
These carp thrive even in a pool of penguins and turtles
And of course, in Hawaii, even the urban flora and fauna are exotic and interesting.
This spotted dove was not officially part of the exhibit
So much has changed since that first trip. In the 90s, we were still shooting film. I wasn’t yet a bird watcher. It was visiting Hawaii that brought me to my spark bird – no, not the penguins – but that’s another post.
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Jen, I’m a big fan of Pengcognito! Of course, the real-life penguin diaries are fun, too. Can’t wait until next Friday.
Cute pix!
That’s my kind of penguin! In 2004, Mr. Pengcognito
and I went to South Africa on an Earthwatch project with penguins (I’m still using that 11GB of photos in my cartoon…)
http://pengcognito.com/penguindiary.php
naturegirl – glad you like them. I think penguins are just TOO cute.
monarch – come back tomorrow for penguin feeding time!
He He He . . . . nice!
Amazing little penguins! I never knew these cuties existed!
Great series!Thank you for enlightening me!
That was Mr Wren’s position as well, Michele. I’m so glad I did find them again, or I’d still be living down my “hallucination.” That, and “what was in that coffee, any way?”
When you think Hawaii, you think hot and sandy and palm trees and such so it’s hard to imagine penguins but there they are!! Amazing photos… I love ‘em all!
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