Penguins in Chiloé, Chile

Another border crossing and about 5 hours later, we were back on the Pacific shores, to the archipelago of Chiloé.  These 40 minor islands presented yet another stark change from the Lakes District of Argentina… lush, undulating pasturelands, craggy shores and a somewhat isolated, “old world” population that lives mostly off of sustainable agriculture and fishing.  We couldn’t say long to explore all that this area had to offer… but just enough time to seek out one of the penguin colonies just off shore.

We went to a nature reserve close by (that, interestingly enough, is partially funded/ sponsored by the Milwaukee Zoo) where you can take a short boat ride from shore to one of the ‘rookeries’ and hear (in Spanish : –)  ) about the penguins and other birds that roost there.

Our first look at penguins in the wild… here, Magellanic and Humboldt penguins.  Magellanic penguins have 2 black stripes underneath their bills and Humboldt have one stripe.  We obviously couldn’t go on shore, but got plenty close enough to observe all the waddling, flapping, beak-greeting, swimming, diving and incessant squawking that you come to expect from these cute creatures. 

Other life on the islets… Chloephaga birds (male is white, female is black)… and their chicks

Haematopus birds (I think… had to look it up!)

  A sea otter

 

We fully enjoyed our relaxed time here but had to keep moving on.  Next stop, Bariloche, Argentina for more trekking.