Science

Judi Lynn

(160,450 posts) Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:15 AM Jan 2019

For Penguin Awareness Day, Enjoy This Rare Photo Of 5 Different Penguin Species

Jan 20, 2019, 12:00pm
Priya Shukla
Contributor

Remote black lava beach with 5 species of penguins: Chinstrap, Gentoo, King, Macaroni and Adélie alongside fur and elephant seals (South Sandwich Islands).© 2018 CINDY MILLER HOPKINS

The South Sandwich Islands and nearby South Georgia Island, which reside just east of the waters between Argentina and Antarctica (Drake’s Passage), are home to 25% of the planet’s penguin population as well as many seabirds, whales, and seals. First spotted in 1675 by a merchant ship blown off course, the islands eventually became a British territory after Captain James Cook landed there in the late 18th century.

This region was once known for being a key site for seal trapping and whaling, which nearly drove both groups to extinction between the 18th and 20th centuries. Even so, this part of the world is now considered an incredibly important wildlife hotspot that draws in millions of marine mammals and seabirds.

"Among the factors that have contributed to this status are the lack of a natural harbor, rough seas, high levels of ice, and volcanic activity, " said Johnny Briggs, Officer with The Pew Trusts working on the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, "A second reason that these waters are so rich for penguins, is the significant amount of prey species in the waters of the South Sandwich Islands. Specifically, the islands lie in the perfect region for high krill productivity."

Recently, wildlife photographer Cindy Miller Hopkins captured what may be the only image of five penguin species simultaneously using the same piece of land. In this image, thousands of king, macaroni, chinstrap, Gentoo & Adélie penguins are all congregating on Saunders Island beach alongside several fur and elephant seals.

More:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2019/01/20/for-penguin-awareness-day-enjoy-this-rare-photo-of-5-different-penguin-species/#57b790aa1d4d

5 replies

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For Penguin Awareness Day, Enjoy This Rare Photo Of 5 Different Penguin Species (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2019 OP

Here's a couple of my photos from there. Only 3 breeds. sinkingfeeling Jan 2019 #1

Your photos are wonderful! What an experience that would have to be. Judi Lynn Jan 2019 #2

Yes, it was awesome. I'm glad I went although at 69, it pushed me to sinkingfeeling Jan 2019 #3

They seem so comical, walking, but also adorable! In the water they absolutely fly along so fast. Judi Lynn Jan 2019 #4

Yes, in the huge colonies, they are very loud and smelly! sinkingfeeling Jan 2019 #5

sinkingfeeling

(51,438 posts)

1. Here's a couple of my photos from there. Only 3 breeds.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:13 AM

Jan 2019

Judi Lynn

(160,450 posts)

2. Your photos are wonderful! What an experience that would have to be.

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 22, 2019, 09:27 PM

Jan 2019

Simply breathtaking.

It must have felt like being in a dream, being able to focus on that unbelievable panorama in person.

What a wonderful decision, taking the trip there.

Thanks.

(On edit: those seals are fantastically huge by comparison! Interesting noting the little bird guys seem completely at ease sharing the same space with them on land.)

sinkingfeeling

(51,438 posts)

3. Yes, it was awesome. I'm glad I went although at 69, it pushed me to

Reply to Judi Lynn (Reply #2)

Tue Jan 22, 2019, 09:42 PM

Jan 2019

my physical limits. I fell so in love with the penguins. They will come right up to you and check you out. The seals were kind of intimidating. We would walk about 15 feet from them. The Southern Elephant Seals are huge!

Judi Lynn

(160,450 posts)

4. They seem so comical, walking, but also adorable! In the water they absolutely fly along so fast.

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Reply #3)

Tue Jan 22, 2019, 10:01 PM

Jan 2019

It's hard to imagine creatures could move as quickly as they do when they have up a full head of steam! In the water it appears they also play, have fits of exultation, and an enormous sense of camaraderie.

It could be overwhelming seeing one of the little guys in person. What interesting creatures.

Still overwhelmed by the size of those huge seals. One doesn't grasp it until seeing them in relationship to penguins.

They are truly awkward on land, but they do seem to be able to get where they want to go....

Read something by a man who lived near a section of land in Argentina where penguins go to find mates, and he said that the sound a lot of penquins can make shouting together is just horrible year after year! I think he was partially amused, however.

sinkingfeeling

(51,438 posts)

5. Yes, in the huge colonies, they are very loud and smelly!

Reply to Judi Lynn (Reply #4)

Tue Jan 22, 2019, 10:27 PM

Jan 2019

I was entranced by them. One could watch them for hours. Some of the Adelies were carrying pebbles from the beach to build nests, lots of the Kings were molting, the Rock Hoppers were hopping up the stone heights, and the Gentoos were diving into the water. We saw all the breeds except the Emperors (March of the Penguins and Happy Feet). They live far down on the continent.
I took like 1200 photos because everywhere you looked there was something.

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