Tuesday, February 23, 2010

My Love of Captain Ork

When I was younger, we read a book at school about a man who paints houses for a living but dreams of far away places.  When he sees a movie about Antarctica, he is so fascinated that he writes to Admiral Drake, an explorer there. Instead of answering the letter, the Admiral sends a large wooden box with holes punched in the sides. When Mr. Popper removes the outer boards, out jumps a full grown penguin. From then on, his days are filled with one adventure after another.







This book began my love affair with penguins.









I had a stuffed penguin that I slept with for years, and I named him Captain Ork.  (Ork being the sound a penguin makes)

Tonight, watching the Olympics women's ice dancing short programs, I was reminded of one of my favorite animals once again.

And by a little known fact I recently discovered about them.
The King Penguins have an organ above their eyes that convert salt water to fresh water.
So, they can drink salt water.







How amazing is that?!

All the answers we're looking for in science...are in the animal kingdom.
Seriously. 


10 comments:

Chrissie said...

i am so going to read that book.
it looks awesome :)

Kisma said...

We learn something new everyday!

Justine said...

I love penguins too! Could they be any cuter?

Justine :o )

ShineForLife said...

I remember that book! It was so good! :)

Sharlene T. said...

I totally agree. There's a show on Animal Planet that actually features how science is using animals to solve a lot of our own tech problems. (Wish I could remember the name...) Penguins are adorable.

Kristi said...

That was one of my favorite books too! How AMAZING about their water-changing organ--thanks for sharing!

AdriansCrazyLife said...

I remember that book, it was darling!

Unknown said...

I really like your photos of the little darlings. They are one of my favorites at the zoo, but they
re always the little ones. I've never seen the big Emperor Penguins except on TV. Have you seen the animated movie "Happy Feet"? And remember the one about the big "Kahuna Surfer Dude" (can't remember the name of that movie but it was hilarious.)

Col. Clumsy said...

I really like the way your blog is set up, can i get some tips to improve reader attraction?

Anonymous said...

On Animal Planet there was a show on (and of course I can't remember the name of it) the other night. The episode title "Ice Worlds" and it had the coolest stuff on about penguins. My daughter also loves them after getting a stuffed one from an aquarium. You should try to find Ice Worlds...fascinating stuff!