tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Royal penguins

The breeding colony of the Royal Penguins, a hundred or so metres inland from Sandy Bay. Parks Tasmania have constructed a walkway for tourists (this is the only place on the island, apart from the station area, where tourists are permitted). Note especially the tremendous devastation of dead and dying vegetation as a result of the massive rabbit infestation at that time (Dec 2005).

This little creek, at Sandy Bay on Macquarie Island, is the main access route between the beach and the breeding colony a little inland. There is a busy and constant two way traffic, interrupted sometimes by arguments over who infringed the traffic rules!

Let's go through the penguin regal order: there are the well known Emperors and the Kings - but these are Royal Penguins, somewhat lesser known as they live only on Macquarie Island. They could be said to live up to their less exalted name, as the minor princes and princesses who can afford to be a little more relaxed and even eccentric: these are absolute characters. They don't actually nest on this beach, this is something like a cross between a social club and an arrivals/departure lounge. The accompanying photos show their breeding colony and access.