For the African Penguin parenting is a serious task, both male and female must take turns to provide a constant supply of food to feed their chicks. As they grow their appearance changes from cute fluffball through a period of looking quite seedy as their chick down is gradually replaced by sleek gray/blue feathers. They fledge within 60 – 120 days and leave the colony to make it on their own, spending a period of between twelve and twenty-two months out at sea before returning to their natal colony to molt into their adult plumage.
Fluffy, nearly three months old.
Looking a little moth-eaten as the fluff falls away.
Siblings nearing fledging.
Checking out the water.
Flipper workout, adjusting for sea.
Almost time to leave the colony and make it out in the big world of sea.
The sleek and slick adult penguin, with a well oiled , waterproofed tuxedo.
This post is in response to WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge: Change. Pop over to the WordPress site for further posts on this subject.
Nature on the Edge 
I love them 🙂
Yes, they’re great little creatures 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
so cute! 😉
Thanks D; they certainly are!
I really like your photos 😀
Thanks for the compliment Dear Rosie!
I adore these pictures….you could probably guess that from my photo 🙂
Lovely Gravatar pic 🙂 Aren’t they characterful creatures!
Bettys Bay? My neighbouring town.
Love your Gravatar Maankind 🙂 Boulder’s Beach colony … plan to visit Betty’s Bay soon.
Stunning gallery!
Thanks for the compliment 🙂 Glad you stopped by.
They are so sweet! 🙂
Penguins are so cute, you’ve captured them well!
Thanks! Yes they’re characterful little creatures 🙂 Glad you stopped by.
Penguins are such cute creatures 🙂
Thanks for the comment, Gilly … cute and sassy too!
Simply adorable! Those siblings do look like siblings…
Yes 🙂 Quite the trendy two!
Terrific images!
Thanks Elena, an endless source of photo ops 🙂
So beautiful and adorable!!! 🙂
Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
Between 12 and 22 months out at sea, that is a long time. Lovely penguins 🙂
Aaaaaaaaah, Liz, they’re gorgeouuuuuuuuuus! : like puppies… please don’t change! 🙂
Have a great week.
Big hug from the Rhine Valley
Dina
🙂 love your comment Dina! They’re an endangered species, so we worry for their future….
Thanks for focusing on their difficult situation, Liz.
Love Penguins!! Went and visited the penguins at Stoney Point this December holiday, it was a lovely day out! Lovely photos!
Penguins, a mutual interest 🙂 Gosh you do get around the globe!
Haha – the idea of a seedy looking penguin is kind a hoot. Nice shots, as always.
It’s kind of hard not to anthropomorphise….!