East Antarctica and sub-Antarctic Islands

ANTARCTICA | Friday, 4 January 2013 | Views [184] | View Smaller Image

A procession of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) make their way to their nests in a rare patch of glorious sun. The sparkling and inviting water in the background is ironically richly coloured by penguin excrement, the unique smell unable to be conveyed through a mere photograph. Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica.

It is a source of wonder to observe the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) and its many emotions - affronted, possibly scared, indignant, and sometimes curiously impatient as this penguin shows. When the B-09B iceberg lodged itself in Commonwealth Bay in 2011, apart from preventing further tourist visits to the bay, the berg and resulting pack ice turned the Adelies' walk to their nest from metres to potentially kilometres. Only time will tell how this will affect the breeding prospects of this penguin and all the others in the colony. Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica.

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An intimate moment of grooming between a Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora) pair reinforces their bond before they swap places on the nest. These unbelievably huge birds struggle to keep their balance and their feathers immaculate in the relentless wind gusts that are vital for their take-offs. This recovering population is at most threat from longline fishing. Campbell Island, sub-Antarctic islands.

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East Antarctica and sub-Antarctic Islands

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