Friday Fun -- Penguin Love

I got to pet a penguin. How cool is that?

They walk right up to researchers in Antarctica. They have no land predators there, so the curious little buggers waddle right up. Who knew?

They are birds, but their bones are not hollow like other birds'. Floaty air-filled bones tend to slow a bird down under water. The stuff on their bodies looks like fur, but really it's feathers. Slicked down, smooth, slightly sticky feathers form a waterproof seal, insulating them from frigid waters. And look at that form, talk about aerodynamic. This body is built for speed, in the water.

Maybe I'll share more later, but for now I'll just leave you with this image of "Number 142." I think we should call her Cha-Cha.

(Click on the image to view full-size.)