you didn't know you needed to see penguins going to the cinema
December 8, 2020 1:42 PM   Subscribe

Aquarium staff in Chicago, USA, take the penguins on field trips around the city. Lots of cute video footage of curious penguins exploring theatres, sports stadiums, and art museums. Previously: penguins go for a hike in the woods.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl (11 comments total) 25 users marked this as a favorite
 
Movie theaters and stadiums have found a new audience.

I’m envious that a waddling penguin has visited more movie theaters in 2020 than I have.

Penguin walker is now number 1 on my list of dream jobs.
posted by mundo at 2:05 PM on December 8, 2020 [5 favorites]


This is great!

Though, if I were going to take penguins to a movie theater, I'd have chosen one of the several theaters at the Adler. I've seen many a great film at the one featured in the video. But, it's a long walk. The art museum is harder to find locally, so that makes sense. I wonder if there is footage of penguins contemplating all the taxidermied animals in the Field. I'm guessing that's far too dark for a museum public media account, but I would enjoy seeing it.

(I miss the beginning of the year when we thought COVID would be over in six weeks and the Shedd and Adler were publicly fighting with each other over social media. I suspect everyone is too exhausted now to keep it up.)
posted by eotvos at 2:12 PM on December 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


I am one of the few volunteers still allowed to continue my shifts there. Now that the Aquarium is closed; it is really eerie to walk around with NOBODY around. After my shifts, I now make it a point to make rounds. It's like the Night at the Museum come to life.

It is so calming to see all the life doing their thing Especially in the Wild Reef Shark exhibit, it looks like being in a dive. Its not just the lack of people, but the silence that's amazing. I can't wait to enjoy this till Jan 2; when the Shedd is supposed to reopen.
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:16 PM on December 8, 2020 [14 favorites]


Favorite joke of an old friend of mine:

Man is walking down street with penguin. Cop see him and says:

“What is that, a penguin?”
“Yes officer, a penguin.”
“I want you to take that penguin to the zoo!”
“Sure. I’ll take him right away.”

Next day, same scene:

“I thought I told you to take that penguin to the zoo!”
“I did officer, and he loved it. Now I’m taking him to the movies.”
posted by mono blanco at 2:21 PM on December 8, 2020 [28 favorites]


Now that the Aquarium is closed; it is really eerie to walk around with NOBODY around.

Oh, jeez. I'm glad you still have a job and I'm sorry it's eerie but this sounds like my heaven on earth. Time to contemplate! To just watch! To enjoy the silence! It must be a completely magical place, with just you and the animals.

(I am glad aquariums exist and I love them but I get easily overwhelmed in loud crowds so you can imagine how well I get on with a space full of small, overexcited children :/)
posted by kalimac at 4:23 PM on December 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Now that the Aquarium is closed; it is really eerie to walk around with NOBODY around.

I was a docent at the NYC aquarium in my teens so had this treat as well. Always very soothing.

Even more fun, I got to wade around in a giant gravel-bed filter attached to a shark tank so I could gather the sea anemones that grew on the sides. (All this part of being a student at a nearby high school with a marine bio program.)
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 5:16 PM on December 8, 2020 [6 favorites]


I just want to offer that I am available to take penguins around, shop for what sounds like fun--grilled sardines, you guys? Or maybe not grilled, as such....in any case, I am now constructing elaborate penguin tours for the sometime.
posted by winesong at 7:15 PM on December 8, 2020 [3 favorites]


I just want to offer that I am available to take penguins around, shop for what sounds like fun--grilled sardines, you guys? Or maybe not grilled, as such..
I know.. You would think more penguins would vacation in the Netherlands, right?
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:23 PM on December 8, 2020


This is adorable!
posted by Dysk at 10:36 PM on December 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Much as I love penguins I think it would hurt too much to see the city that is right outside my window and yet completely, and indefinitely, inaccessible to me.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:19 AM on December 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


"obviously we can't take all 36 penguins out everyday, everywhere..."

But have you tried? Because that's the video I want to watch!
posted by hydra77 at 3:24 PM on December 9, 2020 [2 favorites]


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