Soulmates, This is the second DIGIPAINT that i made during our summer class in Itmm, Dont be shock because this is really a digipaint and that is why this is my favorite so far of all my works, kasi hindi sya bisto... I like penguins, this is one of my favorite animals na gusto ko alagaan,, hehehe hope i could go to antartica someday.. I named it Soulmates because you know that Once a penguin finds a mate, they usually stay together for years -- for as long as they have chicks.   \m/

PENGUIN FACTS:

Just a Boy and a Girl...

During the mating season penguins head for special nesting areas on the shore.  The area where penguins mate, nest and raise their chicks is called a "rookery".
When penguins are ready to mate, the male stands with his back arched and wings stretched.  He makes a loud call and struts about to attract a female.
When the penguins find a mate, they bond with each other by touching necks and slapping each other on the back with their flippers.  They also "sing" to each other so they learn to recognize each other's voices.

Penguins don't jump, they BOUNCE!

Penguins don't live in the best habitats for finding nesting material, so they have to make do with what they can find.
Rockhopper penguins build their nests on steep rocky areas.  To get there, they hold both feet together and bounce from ledge to ledge (imagine Winnie the Pooh's Tigger with wings and you've got the idea).  These birds can bounce up to 5 feet!
Magellanic penguins dig burrows under the ground to form huge "cities" similar to gophers.
Adelies and chinstrap penguins use rocks to build their nests.  The perfect rock is a rare commodity for these birds.  They'll often fight over or steal each other's stones!

Penguin Chicks As soon as the egg is laid (penguins lay one or two eggs at a time), the female dashes out for dinner, leaving the male to watch the nest. When the female returns (it can take up to two weeks for her to come back) it's the male's turn to head out for food, leaving the female with the egg. When the chick hatches, it immediately starts calling so that its parents will learn to recognize its voice.

Emperor penguin chick

Once the chick is strong enough, both parents head for the ocean at the same time.  The chicks are left in a group together (sort of like a daycare).  When the penguin parents return with dinner they recognize their chick by its voice.

Playful Penguin Pastimes

Between staying warm, raising chicks, finding food and avoiding predators, a penguin's life may not sound like much fun.  But penguins have some playful pastimes -- many of which are surprisingly similar to human hobbies!
Tobogganing:  Penguins lie on their belly and toboggan through the ice and snow.  This helps them move quickly.
Surfing:  Penguins are often seen surfing through the waves onto land.