Girl Watches Penguins Frolic in Aquarium Tank

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Photo: Aquarium of the Pacific Penguin Habitat Girl Watching

At the Aquarium of the Pacific Penguin Habitat you can sit on a ledge or on benches in the shade and watch these birds practically fly, propelling themselves forward to reach great depths. Some are exceptional divers and can stay submerged for over 15 minutes swimming as deep as a quarter mile or more in depth. Swimming includes porpoising--repeatedly breaking the water's surface with enough momentum to lift the bird into the air.

The Magellanic penguins shown in photo are outstanding swimmers while seemingly awkward on land. The Magellanic is provided with markings making it difficult to see when swimming. It blends with the sea when viewed from above, and with the sky when viewed from the water below.