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Bird Island, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands
I work as a Zoological Field Assistant, and am the 2009 Winter Base Commander, at Bird Island Research Station, one of the British Antarctic Survey's five research bases in Antarctica. The main remit of my job is seal fieldwork as part of BAS' Long Term Monitoring and Survey programme. Science has been carried out on Bird Island since 1958. I work with Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals, as well as assisting with the seabird fieldwork programme. Contact me on: ewanedwards at gmail dot com

Friday 7 November 2008

07.11.2008 - Macaroni penguins

The macaroni penguins have returned after their winter at sea. Here are some photos.

Penguins 'porpoising' on their way to climb out of the water


A leopard seal, lying offshore in wait for an easy snack


The macaronis have to contend with some huge waves - a washing machine at the foot of the colony


It can take several attempts before they make a successful landing on solid rock


All wet and sleek, recently emerged from the sea


They are called macaroni penguins because of their gold crest...


...it is a reference to the 'dandies' of the 18th century, who would go to Italy on travels and return with fashionable blonde streaks in their hair...


The colony fills up fast - only two weeks ago this was a bare scree slope - now the noise and smell of the busy penguin colony is incredible


3 comments:

Brett said...

Fantastic shots

Ewan Edwards said...

Thanks Brett, good to get some feedback. Ewan

Luis Portugal said...

Hello
It has a nice blog.
Sorry not write more, but my English is bad writing.
A hug from my country, Portugal