Monday 2 June 2008

Flamingo Park


BabyPenguin, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Today the weather wasn't as nice as yesterday, but thought we'd chance it and go to an out door activity. We decided to go to Seaview Flamingo Park Wildlife Encounter. I had read on their website that they had baby penguins and really wanted to see them. We got to the park at about 11:30 and found out that they were feeding the baby penguins at 12:30. We walked around the park first looking at all the different birds they had, including three different varieties of flamingos. There were Chilean, Caribbean and Lesser flamingos. Also there were all sorts of different varieties of ducks, geese (including Canadian), pelicans, swans, guinea fowl and many other strange and common birds.

At 12:30 we saw them feeding the baby penguins, they are just starting to loose there down feathers and getting their water proof feathers come in. After they finished feeding them, they opened the window that was separating them from us and let the children (of all ages) pet them. After all the younger ones had their chances, I got to have a chance as well and stroked the soft downy chicks. I even stroked the water proof feathers to see what they felt like. They were very soft as well, just not as "fluffy". (See photo above)

After the penguins we went as saw the breeding cages and saw some magnificent peacocks on full display trying to impress the pea hens. Although all the humans walking by were very impressed at the display and shaking of feathers. The peahens didn't seem impressed at all!

Then we went to Wallaby Walk and saw all sorts of wallaby's, some of which were albino and some mother wallaby's with joeys in there pouches! Then it was time for the Meerkats to be fed. There were 5 little kats who were fed on oranges, bananas, grapes and ferret food. Then for a treat after they got meal worms. Their little faces reminded me a lot of my pet hedgehog I use to have back home.

At the end of our stay at the park it was time to see the adult penguins get fed. They knew it was feeding time and were all congregated at one end of the penguin pool. A man came with a bucket of sprat and started to feed them and give a little talk. Then he put some of the fish on the ledge for us to throw to them. As I don't like fish I was very hesitant to pick any up, but got up the courage and threw lots of fish to the very eager penguins.

It was a great day out and really enjoyed I time seeing all the different animals and birds. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone!

2 comments:

dddeeebbbzzz said...

What a fab day! I think meerkats are my favourites - it's the way they stand and look around.

Anonymous said...

I sure envy you such adventures! Bet you both have TONS of pics to share;
look forward to seeing more! ((((Hugs))))

Mom