Penguins are usually dressed in snappy tuxedos for their day-to-day lives. Some of them, however, like to take it to the next step whenever a photographer stops by. This kind of flightless bird is called a rockhopper penguin, and we hopefully don’t have to tell you why (it’s because they hop around on rocks).
They have a big collection of long yellow and black feathers that give them a distinctive look that is fierce and fabulous. Hilariously, all of the related images are of palm trees and bushes and things like that. Maybe it’s time for this penguin to make a trip to the barbershop.
Just Barely There
You might need an eagle's eyes to pick out the piece of wildlife in this picture. The black speck at the upper third is a bird that looks a little lost and a little too lonely. We're not sure exactly where this picture was taken, but it has a wild, uninhibited quality to it.
The seething sees the wild blue yonder. It could be over the mountains, taken from an aircraft for all we know. Humanity seems all but removed from this image – we get nothing but the untamed sky and a bird that has made it his own.
Hey Buddy, You Got a Light?
It seems that even the animal kingdom has its vices. Trust us, kid, you don't want to find out what happens to your lungs if you get addicted to those things. We, humans, call them lung darts, and your lungs are a lot smaller. Sure, they might give you a pleasant buzz at first, but you're going to be hacking and coughing before too long.
Plus, then you have to go into shops and talk to the owner and show your I.D. And you don't have an I.D., do you? No – you are a bird.
Bad Guys, Beware the Red Squirrel!
Talk about jumping into action! Squirrels don't deign to walk like us humans – they bounce and jump from place to place with the energy of a toddler that has had too much candy. This vibrant example of a Eurasian red squirrel shows us just how big their leaps can get – there's neither tree nor land in focus, so we bet this high-flying creature is making a big leap.
The tail is often used as a kind of rudder – it keeps the squirrels from taking a bad fall. It might not be a hero, but it's still about to make a perfect three-point landing.
These Feet Were Made for Walking
Lots of creatures walk about the Earth, getting from place to place. Even by a loose definition, most creatures have a way to stride on the ground. Pretty much everything except sea creatures has a way to walk, but few are as fancy as the chameleon.
They groove back and forth, carefully measuring each step to give themselves the best place to stand. A pair of independent eyes lets them see everything around them, and a long tail aids their balance. They will also freeze – as this one likely did – with a foot up in the air when something comes near.