Little Blue Penguin chicks are tugging heartstrings at Birch Aquarium

LITTLE BLUE, WE LOVE YOU: The wonderful waddlers of Birch Aquarium, the ocean-adjacent educational institution in La Jolla, have been charming visitors for nearly two years. This is no surprise; the Little Blue Penguins of the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins exhibit are actually quite azure in appearance — the birds' whimsical designation fits well — and boast so many of the endearing traits we associate with penguins. They are also billed as "the world's smallest penguins," adding to their sweet appeal. Now there are even more Little Blues to coo over, thanks to what the aquarium is dubbing its "first successful penguin hatching season."

THE FIRST FLUFFSTER... made its darling debut on New Year's Day 2024; four more chicks followed in late January and in the latter half of February. Four of the little ones are male but keepers are "awaiting confirmation" on the fifth baby. You won't have to wait to admire these cuties; they're now all swimming with the colony, after a few months spent with the Penguin Care Team, growing strong out of the public eye. Take a look at some tender pictures now...