- The cost is $125.00 per person for non-Audubon members (please keep in mind that this is an additional cost to the general admission ticket). For Audubon members, the cost is $115.00 per person (general admission is free). There are NO specially-priced children's tickets. The cost is the same regardless of age.
- Children under the age of 6 are not permitted. What it comes down to is that these penguins have been handled by keepers since birth - and the penguins love interacting with humans. A grabby little toddler or screaming baby might upset the birds and make them aggressive towards humans.
- Any child/teen under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Therefore, parents cannot just pay for the cost of ONE ticket for their child and expect the staff (and other patrons) to watch their kid. Nope, it's just not happening.
- Make your reservations WAY ahead of time. I ordered our tickets online (ten days before the date I wanted) and found out that the time and date I wanted were all full. Since I was able to be flexible, I *did* get my second choice (you are required to pay in full when you reserve) - but next time?? I'll order a minimum of 3 weeks ahead of time.
- And... you get a Penguin Painting to commemorate your day!!
So... here are some of my pictures from the Backstage Penguin experience:
^^ This is Millicent. She's 8 years old and loves people. The penguins "volunteer" to meet people - not one bird is forced to meet the public. The keeper will ask "who wants to go out??" And then picks two of the *volunteers*. There is always a minimum of four - and then the keeper picks two.
^^ This is Hubie. She is 19 months old and was born at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. She was hand-fed, so she really enjoys human contact. She was very affectionate, would nuzzle, and had an affinity for sardines. Her color is not the same as Millicent's because she's so young. Penguins molt once a year. So, Hubie will molt one more time and when her new feathers come in, she'll look just like Millicent (but with different markings). :0))
^^ Millicent is waiting for a fish-y treat!!
^^ Hubie (bottom right) and Millicent (upper left) help the keeper when he lays out the canvas. They both enjoy having their feet dipped in non-toxic paint... it's cool on their feet.
^^ The girls are ready to paint!!!
^^ The girls are back in their enclosure (environment/home). There are 37 penguins in the exhibit here. About 1/3 of them are from other aquariums from all over the United States - they are placed here when renovations happen at their zoo. Some are still pretty wild - so they will keep to themselves and don't like to be touched. They are easy to spot, because they don't come close to any of us... even with a bucket-full of delectable sardines!!
^^ Swim, penguins, SWIM!!
^^ They came up on the rocks to "greet" us - well, they came for the food. We had plenty of fish. Bribery at it's finest!!
^^ Penguin handler, Darwin, passing over a cutie to love on. :0))
According to the handlers and keepers, penguins are as smart as parrots (although they do not vocalize beyond their normal calls, whistles, squeaks, grunts, and snorts). They are very curious by nature and after being raised at the aquarium (by humans) they are eager to get attention from everyone.
And since I just couldn't pass them up, I bought some sea turtle earrings from the gift shop. I *really* wanted the penguin ones, but a lady in front of me snatched up the last pair.
^^ Awesomesauce!!
And, tomorrow (well, today really, since it's past midnight), I'll be going out to lunch with a couple of my friends and some derby girls. Life is seriously fucking wonderful.
x0x0
