Around Maryland

At least I hope she's a girl.

"She" is a penguin, an African penguin who makes her home in Baltimore at a place called Rock Island, in the heart of the Maryland Zoo. Wheezy likes long leisurely skinny dips, sashimi on demand, occasional love nips, and the wrist strap that dangles from my camera. While I am completely smitten, her complete attentions, alas, are given instead to animal keeper Kathy McNamara. I've got no chance whatsoever.

But that's okay. I'm just happy to be around the seabird, as is my daughter and her two friends. It is, in fact, a penguin-filled day for our small group at the Maryland Zoo.

The day started with "Breakfast with the Penguins," where we and a group of other penguin devotees dined alongside the Rock Island habitat listening not only to facts about the African penguin, but also the zoo's program which, for penguins of this type, is the largest in the country. The zoo's breeding program has helped to create a population of 50 birds. Bands adorn the flipper of each bird – girls wear it on the left, boys on the right – which means that Wheezy is not a “she” but, a, well, no matter.

After breakfast, it was the penguins' turn to feast; we lined up to toss fish to the hungry birds. Today's selection was capelin, once cousin to the smelt family, now star billing on the entree menu. Breakfast ended at 10 am, which allowed our small posse three-plus hours to explore the polar bears, Maryland Wilderness, and the rest of the animals in the zoo’s African Journey area.

At the appropriate time, we traveled back to the penguin exhibit where we were greeted by the super-friendly zoo volunteer Carolyn Hockstad. Carolyn took us to the entrance of a not-so-top-secret tunnel that went under, then up to, Rock Island. Kathy McNamara greeted us; then proceeded to take us down the dark entry to the entrance.

For the three girls, Kathy was great -- and a wonderful role model, for at least my daughter, who loves wild animals and the care of them. Talking to them about habitat, about breeding, about diet, about personalities (like humans, some penguins are happy, some are curious, some are cranky and will bite your toe if given the chance) -- all of us were completely engaged.

And it only got better when we went outside to Rock Island's exterior, where we met Wheezy and her friends -- Aquaman, Tiki, Donald, and many others. We saw firsthand their barbed tongues -- perfect for swallowing capelin whole -- their waterproof coat, their gracefulness in water...and their waddleness on land.

The behind-the-scenes tour was a great way to see the Maryland Zoo. Check out this link to plan your own intimate encounter with wildlife. There is an additional cost, but it's well worth it – and you're helping to preserve and protect wildlife that's near and dear to us all.

And speaking of which: have you become a member of the zoo?