Dressed in elegant tuxedos,
these flightless sea birds
underwater move
at the speed of a torpedo.
On dry land they waddle,
giving them a clumsy, awkward stride
but on ice they are graceful creatures
cause bellies down they glide.
Males have no enchanting songs to woo the ladies,
so they set off on a treasure hunt
to find the smoothest pebble that will win her heart;
It's the ultimate charmer's stunt.
Penguins bond for life
'n breed thru spring and summer;
they form colonies by rocky shores
and share parental chores.
The Emperor penguin is
the exception to the rule;
these awesome birds breed in Winter
and gather 60 to 100km inland.
In April couples mate and by May late
the females head back to the sea to feed
whilst the males continue their fast.
To survive the rigid Antarctic clime
the colony huddles up;
individuals temporarily lose their identity
and become one huge living entity.
Members take turn to occupy
the warmest spots in the middle
then the coldest on the outer limits.
Skilful scuffle of feet and co-ordination,
an extraordinary act of co-operation
against a common "enemy",
The Antarctic Winter.
In August the ladies all fattened up
make return to the colony anxious
to meet, for the first time, their offspring.
Fathers, visibly weak and thin,
are reluctant to hand over the chicks,
but the instinct for survival kicks in
and eventually, sea bound they march.
