Little Blue Penguins: There's safety in numbers

The Little Blue Penguin (also known as the Fairy Penguin in Australia) is the smallest of all the penguins.

Unlike the Yellow-Eyed Penguins (and more like the rest of the penguin world), the Little Blue Penguins stick together as much for safety as anything else. They are vulnerable to more predators because they are so small. They stay out in the water during the day, but when it's time to come to their nests on shore, they come in groups. They rush the shore, hop up on the rocks, and scurry to their nests (hidden in the grass or wherever).

We humans had to watch from these reviewing stands, so we wouldn't deter the Little Blues on their way to their nests.



It was dark as we watched the 20 to 30 Little Blue Penguins emerge from the water and hop onto the rocks, and this was the only photo I was able to get. Nevertheless, I was thrilled to see them in person, even if I didn't get great pictures.