Inane Ramblings of an Over Caffinated Mind
Sunday, July 31, 2005
March of the Penguins
I am an animal nut so I LOVED this movie.
Now I want a penguin chick. Unfortunately, he/she will grow up to a 4' tall 100lb. adult penguin. I had no idea penguins got so large. Then again, it is the EMPEROR penguin.
Brief Synopsis - the documentary details the journey the Emperor Penguins make each mating season to their breeding ground, the subsequent courtship and the long winter that each male penguin endures to protect the precious life in the egg.
The entire process is facinating, but it's a testament to nature how each penguin knows it's time for mating. The film opens with one lone penguin popping out of the sea onto the ice. Then as if by clockwork, another penguin, followed by another and another and another. And pretty soon, there's a whole army of penguins commencing on their practiced march to the breeding ground. Makes you wonder what triggers the entire process? Is it a chemical thing with in the Penguins themselves? Is it the change in weather in the sea? The film states that differing group of Penguins all arrive at the breeding grounds from differing directions on the same day or even the same hour. FACINATING.
As I was watching the movie, I was thinking that humans have no idea about sacrificing for their children. These penguins trek 70 miles to their mating spot and endure -80 degree cold, go without food for up to 120 days all to keep an egg warm. Talk about dedication. Once the eggs hatch, the males and females take turns making the ~70 mile trek each way to fetch food for the chick. Now, that's love. The odd thing is the penguins do not remain family. Once the Antarctic summer begins, the male and female penguins will return to the sea and the baby chick is left to fend for itself.
It's amazing how hardy these little creatures are. Makes you reflect on this whole thing called nature.
