Jump in, the water's fine: Penguins torpedo straight into icy Antarctic water to hunt for food

-Adelie penguins make regular trips into the water to catch food
-In December and January, females lay eggs and the parents take it in turns to incubate them
-While one keeps the eggs safe and warm, the other hunts for food

By Alex Ward


These playful penguins make sliding down a steep iceberg and torpedoing into the icy water look like an easy, graceful task.

The Adelie penguins were captured on camera diving headlong into the water in Antarctica after building up speed sliding down the icy slope of an iceberg.

At this time of the year, hundreds of Adelie penguins set up camp in Antarctica and make regular trips back into the water to catch food for their young - making sure to avoid predators in the process.

Dive in: These Adelie penguins were captured on camera diving headlong into the Antartic water after building up speed sliding down the icy slope of an iceberg

Wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas captured the moments on camera from a nearby boat.

The California-based photographer said: ‘We spent more than eight hours circling the icebergs over and over again.

‘Penguins do congregate on these icebergs often, but we were lucky to see unusually large numbers in a beautiful light.

‘It was a glorious day and I was over the moon.’

The 36-year-old took more than 3,000 shots on her expedition.

During December and January, female Adelies lay up to two eggs and the parents take it in turns to incubate them. One stays with the eggs, keeping them safe and warm, while the other heads out to sea to hunt for krill, fish and squid.

Slippery slope: This penguin takes the first step on its speedy slide into the icy waters below

After you: At this time of year, hundreds of Adelie penguins set up camp in Antarctica and make regular trips back into the water to catch food for their young

Torpedo time: This penguin dives in to hunt mainly shrimp-like krill, as well as fish and squid

The penguins are the only breed to raise their young so far south.

When the chicks are about nine-weeks-old and their downy feathers have been replaced with adult, waterproof ones, they travel out to sea and starting hunting for themselves.

Researchers have found that populations of Adelie penguins in the West Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea have fallen by 50 per cent in the last 30 years.

Theories for the decline include a huge reduction in numbers of the penguins’ main prey, shrimp-like krill, and rising temperatures which would lead to less sea ice in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica and fewer nesting sites and feeding grounds for penguins.

Plunging penguin: Researchers have found that populations of Adelie penguins in the West Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea have fallen by 50 per cent in the last 30 years


source:dailymail

Just a little p-p-p-peck on the head: Adorable baby penguin gets a kiss from mother

By Daily Mail Reporter


As they huddle together battling bitterly cold winds, a mother penguin reaches down and pecks her tiny fluffy chick on the head.

The adorable scene was captured by wildlife photographer Thorsten Milse on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica.

In another cute shot, the fluffy chick peers out from under his mothers' body - looking straight down the photographers lens.

Happy feet: The adorable baby penguin gets a kiss from mother

Loving kiss: Two emperor penguins peck their chick on the head in Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

The playful chick then scuttled off to dance around with friends on the ice.

The penguins - part of a huge emperor penguin clan - also huddled together to help shield their young from the bitter wind chills which can reach minus 76 degree Fahrenheit.

In the wild, Emperor Penguins typically live for 20 years, but some records indicate a maximum lifespan of around 40.

Happy feet: A group of emperor penguin chicks waddle along the ice in Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

Playful pair: Two emperor penguin chicks play on the ice in Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. The adorable scene was captured by photographer Thorsten Milse on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

Hello world: An emperor penguin chick peers out from under his mother in Snow Hill Island

Time to play: The penguins waddles around on the ice

Emperor Penguins eat mainly crustaceans such as krill but also occasionally indulge in small fish and squid.

They were the stars of 2006 film Happy Feet which featured the birds.

They are excellent swimmers but on land they either shuffle along or slide about on their bellies.

Standing over a metre tall they are the largest in the family, but endure the worst breeding conditions of any bird.

Keeping warm: A playful pair peer out from under their parents

Close: The penguins - part of a huge emperor penguin clan - also huddled together to help shield their young from the bitter wind chills which can reach minus 76 degree Fahrenheit

In March they travel to nesting sites where there is strong competition between the females for a mate.

After a single egg is laid the females return to the sea for some nourishment, leaving the males to incubate the eggs.

The females return only when the chicks begin to hatch.


source:dailymail

They look good enough to eat! Penguins left looking chocolate-covered after swimming across mud pool

By Anthony Bond


Considering the amount of time they spend outdoors in some of the roughest weather the world has to offer, penguins usually manage to remain remarkably dapper.

However, this one decided to throw decorum aside in a dash for the sea, swimming across a lake of mud in its path and cloaking its usually impeccable black and white plumage in brown slime.

In fact, the bird was so thoroughly covered that it could have been trying to pass itself off as a chocolate penguin.

Mucky: When this group of plucky penguins decided to take a shortcut to the sea, they ended up looking a touch foolish

A huge colony of the flightless birds were gathered on a place called Salisbury Plain in remote South Georgia when a huge mud lake poured across the ice and separated them from the water.

Thousands of the cute creatures decided to be sensible and take the longer route around the muck so they could reach the ocean.

But a plucky handful decided they were not going to let a bit of mud get in their way.

Instead, they jumped in and made a swim for it. However, they no doubt quickly regretted it.


Trapped: A huge colony of the flightless birds were gathered on a place called Salisbury Plain in remote South Georgia when a huge mud lake poured across the ice and separated them from the water

Mess: Thousands of the cute creatures decided to be sensible and take the longer route around the muck so they could reach the ocean. But a handful decided to make a swim for it

Within seconds the King Penguins - Aptenodytes Patagonicus in Latin - were covered from beak to webbed feet in oozing slime.

When they emerged from the pool they looked like they had been dipped in chocolate as they were completely covered in the mud.

Eventually they finally reached the sea and the embarrassed penguins threw themselves into the ice-cold ocean for a much-needed wash.

The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin - only the Emperor Penguin is bigger.


Embarrassing: When they emerged from the mud pool they looked like they had been dipped in chocolate as they were completely covered in the mud

Slimy: This King Penguin looked very sheepish after he emerged from the mud

They eat just small fish and can often repeatedly dive to more than 100 metres when foraging for food.

Some have even been recorded diving at depths greater than 300 metres.

There are estimated to be about 2.23 million breeding pairs in the world.


Clean: When they finally reached the sea, the embarrassed penguins threw themselves into the ice-cold ocean for a much-needed wash


source:dailymail

Taken a wrong turn, guys? Precarious Penguins look for a more suitable place to breed after leaping onto jagged iceberg

By Simon Tomlinson


About turn! Perched precariously on the dazzling blue ice, these penguins decide to jump back into the ocean to look for a better area to gather for breeding season

These penguins look like they're having a whale of a time as they leap onto this dazzlingly beautiful ice before diving back into the water.

But it seems they've taken a slightly wrong turn in their haste to gather for breeding season after thrusting themselves onto a jagged iceberg that is clearly far too difficult to navigate.

The flightless birds can build up a terrific amount of speed as they surge out of the ocean, launching themselves several feet into the air.

March of the penguins: Hundreds of Adelies make their way across Paulet Island in Antarctica to set up camp for the next few months

At this time of year, hundreds of Adelie penguins set up camp on Paulet Island in Antarctica and make regular trips back into the water to catch food for their young - making sure to avoid predators in the process.

Wildlife photographer Steve Bloom, from Ashford, Kent, snapped the incredible scenes during a trip to the island.

He said: 'Adilies build up speed underwater as they approach the edge of the ice shelf and propel themselves out of the water, literally ‘flying’ onto the ice.

'We think of penguins as flightless birds, but their ability to soar underwater is astounding. They are powerful swimmers and travel great distances on feeding trips which can last for days.'


Flat's better: The penguins find a better place to land. They can leap several feet into the air thanks to their powerful propulsion under water

On the hunt: Adelies dive back into the water in search of food for themselves and their young when they have hatched

He added: 'Out at sea they can rest on ice floes or icebergs. They can also travel at high speed across the surface of the water by ‘porpoising’, where they launch themselves out in regular arcs.

'There is always danger from leopard seals which may be lurking below.'

In a hilarious scene, a male Adelie was recently filmed stealing stones from its unaware neighbour’s nest.

The footage, from BBC show Frozen Planet, was a huge hit online.


In a flap: The flightless birds rest on ice floes as they make their way to more solid terrain on the island


Daunting outlook: Four Adelies on an ice floe in front of B-15, the world's biggest iceberg, which is currently 170 miles long by 25 miles wide

During December and January, female Adelies lay up to two eggs and the parents take it in turns to incubate them.

Steve added: 'Most people who visit Antarctica find it life affirming, It gives them a sense of perspective and a heightened awareness of both the fragility and the awe-inspiring splendour of the world.

'It was an incredible experience as it’s a very different, white world which stretches to the horizon.

'We’re small and vulnerable out there, and it is a humbling place to visit.'



source:dailymail

At least someone's having a White Christmas: King Penguins frolic on Snow Hill in Antarctica

By Gavin Allen


Queuing up: King penguin chicks stand on frozen sea ice in Snow Hill Island in the South Atlantic, where temperatures drop to as low as -60C


As Britain enjoys mild weather on December 25, it's good to know that at least someone has had a White Christmas.

However, if you you wanted to enjoy the snow with these King Penguins you would have to travel four hundred miles from civilisation.

Photographed in the freezing South Atlantic waters around the remote South Georgia Island, four days east by boat from the Falklands, the King Penguins have so little contact with humans that they come close enough to peck the camera.


Give us a cuddle: Two King Penguin chicks with wings wrapped around another

Isolated: The cycle of parenthood among the colony sees females lay a single egg before leaving it behind to undertake a two month hunting expedition


Anchored in a small protected bay near to a massive rookery on the island, photographer Paul Souders spent two hours diving into the water with the King Penguins as the Southern Summer turned to winter.

Braving the 1.5 degree celsius water to the point where his hands took one hour to get the feeling back, Souders was stunned by the ease with which the penguins accepted him.

'First off, the water is very, very cold. Barely above freezing,' he said.

'I'd never been in anything like it, so it came as a bit of a shock. My face went numb and my hands grew painfully cold.

'But it was utter magic. I'd only ever seen penguins on land. And to be honest, they look like idiots there.

'Graceless and clumsy and hilarious. But to see them in the water was to see them in their element. They are incredibly graceful, strong swimmers. It's like watching them fly.'


Looking up to his parents: Left, two King Penguins shelter a young chick in the freezing winds while, left, an open-beaked chick awaits his mother's offerings after returning from the hunt with a belly full of food


Wait a minute, you've already hatched! This chick huddles on his father's feet, where the eggs are kept warm

Whee! Penguins slide across the frozen sea ice as they travel up to 50 miles to reach the open ocean

The journey to arrive at the spot saw Souders travel for two days, flying from Seattle to Los

Angeles to Santiago in Chile and then to Stanley in the Falklands. Next he hired a yacht which took four days to reach the remote British territory.

'We'd anchored in a small protected bay outside a massive King Penguin rookery on South Georgia Island,' said Souders.

'It was late in the summer there, and the many of the penguins were fat and happy, their chicks mostly grown.

'So they were curious about the boat anchored there, and even more so when I plopped into the water.

'They swam right up to the camera dome and pecked at their reflections.'

Marvelling at the King Penguins curiousness in the water and on land, Souders felt privileged to be in the same environment as the swimming birds.

'Some were quite curious about me, circling around me as I floated in the sea and coming over to check out their reflection in the glass underwater camera dome,' he said.


Remote: The penguins are so unused to human interaction that they even looked at their own reflections in photographer Paul Souders' camera lens


March of the penguins: Souders says the penguins look 'clumsy and hilarious' on dry land but are graceful in the water - and they spend a lot of time on the ice as they get to grips with the responsibilities of parenting

Morning constitutional: Penguins take a group stroll along the ice on a sunny arctic morning


'They were all individuals from the nearby rookery, stopping off to check out the new neighbours.'

Keen to explain to people that penguins are more than graceful in the water, Souders' wonder at their water speed is obvious.

'I can only stress what a privilege it is to do this work, to see wild animals undisturbed in their natural environments,' he said.

'I think it's critical for photographers to accept our responsibility not to not disturb the animals we encounter, and to encourage everyone to respect and protect the natural world.'


source:dailymail

Love in a cold climate: Romantic penguins 'hold hands' to melt the iciest of hearts

By Daily Mail Reporter


Just the two of us: This romantic pair of penguins hold hands as their buddies congregate in the distance in Port Lockroy, a natural harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula


It might be chilly outside, but this snowy snap of a penguin couple holding hands is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.

The perfect pair enjoyed a romantic clinch, opting for a moment of solitude while dozens of other penguins gathered nearby.

The heart-warming display of affection took place in Port Lockroy, a natural harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula. It was captured on camera by professional photographer Silviu Ghetie.


The pair stand hand in hand appearing to stare out at the dramatic vista of the frozen Antarctic landscape. Their heads tilted slightly toward one-and-other, they look as if they are feeling the quiet drama that love brings to inner life.

There they stay until their penguin pal wanders along, breaking the reverie. Then, still holding each other, they wander down to the icy waters and the rest of their friends.

Photographer Mr Ghetie, 43, from Baia Mare in Romania, usually takes pictures of people but he couldn't resist snapping this magic moment while on a polar expedition.

He said: 'This is the first wildlife picture I have ever taken but it's actually very apt because it just goes to show you can find the same patterns in both nature and people.

'I started taking pictures primarily because I was amazed by the landscape. The light and the atmosphere was really interesting.

'Then as I walked forward the two penguins came into view.

'I always think penguins look very much like humans from behind anyway but this was particularly funny because they really did appear to be holding hands.

'What are you two up to? Oh, holding hands again': Lonely heart approaches the couple and seeing they are only interested in themselves, moves switfly on


'It looked like they were two lovers, hand in hand in front of a beautiful landscape and looking into each other's eyes.

'They were far far away from the rest of the group so it was easy to believe they were having a romantic moment alone.

'They stood there for about two minutes before they were interrupted by another penguin.

'It was at this point that they walked off together and made their way to the ocean. It was a very surreal moment.'


source:dailymail

We're FREE! P-p-pitter-patter of happy feet as penguins rescued from oil spill are released back into the sea

By Gavin Allen


Happy feet: These excited birds were among 49 Little Blue Penguins that were released back into the wild after months in captivity following an oil spill


Waddling as fast as their little legs can carry them, these excited penguins have good reason to be happy.

Their delighted flight towards the sealine on Mount Maunganui beach in Tauranga, New Zealand, follows almost two months in humane captivity.

When the hatches to their yellow and blue transport cases were opened by a mixture of wildlife workers and schoolchildren, some of the the 49 Little Blue Penguins peeked out carefully before emerging onto the sand.


Out of the box: The penguins were released onto the beach at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga by a mixture of schoolchildren and wildlife rescue experts

Helping hand: This Little Blue Penguin is encouraged by a wild life worker to head back to the sea after almost two months in captivity


With a mixture of confusion and excitement some ran in the wrong direction, others sought out their 'friends' and flapped around in circles before heading for the water, where they bobbed about in the surf.

They were the first group to be returned to the sea as part of a staged release programme over a period of weeks.

Wildlife officials nursed some 343 of the penguins back to health after they were effectively tarred and feathered when a cargo ship ran aground on a reef near Tauranga in early October, covering them in oil.

The 775ft-long vessel called the Rena became stranded on the rocks and its torn hull released some 400 tons of fuel into the ocean.


Ready, steady, go: Despite their obvious delight at being released back into the wild, some of the birds appeared momentarily confused as they emerged from their transport boxes


On the run: These penguins were among 343 that were saved following the oil spill by the Rena that claimed the lives of more than 2,000 sea birds


Studied: The penguins have all been microchipped so their movements can be monitored after their release into the wild


Oil spill: Cargo ship the Rena became responsible for the worst environmental disaster in New Zealand's history, sending some 400 tons of fuel into the ocean
It was New Zealand's worst sea pollution disaster and it killed more than 2,000 sea birds.


But these penguins were the lucky ones and, though they were a little weaker for their time being cleaned and pampered by the wildlife rescue staff, they were always destined to return to the ocean.

Wildlife Response Manager Kerri Morgan said that it is important wild penguins do not remain in captivity for too long because they can develop injuries and illnesses.

She said: 'It's been a little bit nerve-wracking and a long process to get here.'

The penguins were fitted with microchips so they can be monitored after their release.




source:dailymail

A right pair of love birds: Are Buddy and Pedro the African penguins more than just friends?

By Lydia Warren


They are often seen touching each other and leave together every night.

Now the bromance between Buddy and Pedro has got keepers at Toronto Zoo in a flap about whether or not the two African penguins are gay.

Keepers have noticed the duo are showing signs of mating behaviour, including braying and defending their territory.

Inseparable: African male penguins Pedro and Buddy share a hug in their enclosure at Toronto Zoo. They have displayed examples of mating behaviour


But the relationship is not destined to last as the zoo intends to break them up.

As African penguins are endangered, the zoo must follow its species survival plan and pair them with females for breeding.

Buddy, 20, and Pedro, 10, are part of the African penguin exhibit that opened at the zoo in May.

They were bred in captivity in Toledo, Ohio, where they formed a connection as members of a bachelor flock.

Their relationship, referred to as ‘pair bonding’ by the zoo, continued after they arrived in Canada.

During the day, the zoo’s 12 penguins – six male and six female – swim and play together in their enclosure, which includes a pool with underwater windows for the public to view.

Good mates: The penguins, who both moved to Toronto from Toledo, Ohio in May, preen each other. They also defend their territory and perform mating calls


But every night Buddy and Pedro pair off together.

'They do courtship and mating behaviours that females and males would do,' one keeper told the Toronto Star.

As a mating call, the penguins make a braying sound, like a donkey. They defend their territory, preen each other and stand alone together.

The keepers, who are aware of the bond, were surprised by the relationship.
'This is all new for us,' another keeper told the Star.

Joe Torzsok, chair of the Toronto zoo board, added: 'It’s a complicated issue, but they seem to be in a loving relationship of some sort.'

Flying solo: Keepers plan on separating the duo, who swim with the zoo's 10 other penguins in their enclosure (pictured) each day, to mate with females


Buddy and Pedro are not the first gay penguin couple to grace the world’s zoos.

As part of an experiment in 2009, two male chinstrap penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo, incubated an egg together and raised the chick, named Tango, after she hatched.

A children’s book, entitled 'And Tango Makes Three', about the chick and her parents, Roy and Silo, became a bestseller.

Zoos in Japan, Germany and Sea World Orlando have also noted 'pair bonding' among penguins.


More than feathered friends: Research from the University of California, Berkeley has found that birds can form same-sex relationships for life


Buddy and Pedro’s relationship follows research from the University of California, Berkeley in April, which found birds can form gay relationships for life.

Scientists found that when raised in same-sex groups, more than half the birds paired up together.

When females were then brought into the male group, five out of eight pairs of males ignored them and stuck with their male partner.

Lead author Dr Julie Elie said: 'Relationships in animals can be more complicated than just a male and a female who meet and reproduce.

'My observations led me to this surprising result: same-sex individuals would also interact like male-female pairs.'

Other species of animals exhibit homosexual tendencies. Giraffes, dolphins and monkeys are known to form same-sex bonds.



source: dailymail

So not all the evil penguins are in Wallace and Gromit: Villainous glint in stone stealer's eye caught on camera

By Daily Mail Reporter


Scroll down for video...

Steely: With a glint in his eye, is this Adelie penguin emulating his screen hero Feathers McGraw?

With a steely glint in his eye, this Adelie penguin looks like he's copying his screen hero Feathers McGraw - the pillaging penguin from Wallace and Gromit.

But instead of trying to pilfer a hoard of diamonds, as Feathers did in the 1993 film The Wrong Trousers, this pickpocketing male is caught in the act of stealing stones from a neighbour's nest.

He can be seen keeping a beady eye on the mound of stones his rival builds up next to him on Ross Island, Antarctica.

Life of crime: The pickpocketing penguin is seen stealing a stone (left) and walking back to his pile to drop it

But as his hard-working neighbour waddles off to collect another prized pebble, the canny criminal sneaks over and grabs one of the rocks before scuttling back to his own nest.

This amusing activity takes places several times until the hapless penguin finally works out he is being duped and chases off his rival.

The footage was captured by a film crew for BBC documentary Frozen Plant, who spent four months with the penguin colony.

Adelie penguins build stone nests to raise their eggs off the ground and protect them from run-off when the Antarctic ice melts

Male birds with the best nests are more likely to attract a mate, so the best stones in the spartan surroundings are highly prized

Adelie penguins, as well as chinstrap penguins, build stone nests to raise their eggs off the ground and protect them from run-off when the Antarctic ice melts.

Male birds with the best nests are more likely to attract a mate, so the best stones in the spartan surroundings are highly prized.

This amusing activity takes places several times until the hapless penguin finally works out he is being duped and chases off his rival.

The footage was captured by a film crew for BBC documentary Frozen Plant, who spent four months with the penguin colony.

The competing males, from a colony of more than 500,000 penguins, often fight over or steal each other's stones to ensure they stay a step ahead.

Jeff Wilson, director of the shoot, said it was difficult to capture the moment when one bird made off with the other's bedding.

He told the BBC: 'They're only a foot and a half tall, so you have to get down to penguin level.

'It's appealing at first, but when it happens for the hundredth time as you're trying to get the shots you need, you start to lose patience.'

He described the male Adelies as like 'festival-goers who have had too much caffeine'.

The Frozen Planet series starts on October 26 on BBC One.




source:dailymail