King Penguin Chick

On our way to the Antarctic Peninsula last November we stopped at Gold Harbour in South Georgia where 23,000 breeding pairs of King Penguins, along with elephant and fur seals, created a melee of sound, odor, and activity.

This King Penguin chick, warm in his downy “fur coat,” didn’t seem to mind the snow, cold, or gray skies, but he plaintively called for his parents hoping to be fed. Larger than either parent he seemed to be well cared for, but his full-throated calls and beseeching body language made it clear that he wanted his parents and food now. It’s hard to make your voice heard among so many thousands I’m sure, but it made us smile. He has more in common with human children than he knows.
—Ann Lansing
North Bend, OR

Technical Info: Photo was taken with an Olympus E-3 camera and an Olympus 50-200mm zoom lens. Exposure was 1/2000 sec at f/4 at ISO 800.
© © Ann Lansing

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