I’m lying on the snow, emperor penguins all around. Once you get used to the
sight, the sound and then smell are probably the most noticeable things. The
constant cooing, deep throttle cooing: da da da daa di da da daa di da da daa
daa. A rattle and a coo, constantly starting and ending, sometimes in unison,
a chorus, sometimes a chant, always in surround sound. On top of this is the
sweet demanding chirrup of chicks, almost a trill. "Feed me." "Where
are you?"
The chicks are now getting quite big and plump. Some of them almost up to
the height of their parent’s shoulders if they stretch. These ones should make
it. There are little ones too, not necessarily abandoned, just later hatches.
These will make it as long as the ice stays for long enough and, of course,
that both parents keep returning with food. Then there are the tiny ones, occassionally
fostered by chickless adults but not fed. Finally, there are the dead chicks,
of all sizes, frozen into the ice.
As I stay still and write this, inquisitive adults approach. Never so close
that I could touch them easily but within reaching distance. The recent warmth
(~ -20C) makes an amazing difference since I can lie here and observe, writing
in thinnies [glove liners]. The downside however, is the stench. Fishy ammonia,
green-brown penguin poo streaks all across the ice. Not dissimilar from pigeons.
Birds is birds I guess.
One is now so close I see his reptilian feet, gnarled toes, long hard nails
for pulling out of the ice. He is standing very still, rounded back, dark black
stripes graffitied down his neck. He moves out of the way and a parent and chick
move in. The chick, fluffy grey, runs off like a toddler exploring and the parent
patiently follows through the crowd. I could stay here for hours but have been
told it’s time to go.
Da da da daa di di di daaa di di di daa daa.
What are the cliffs on the horizon? Have you gotten there yet? How far are the penguins from Halley? Got a good map over there of your area you can take a digitial shot of and show us?
Excellent as ever, and you would laugh if you saw the ads that Google is throwing up alongside your latest post – ‘Penguins:ebay fantastic low prices’, ‘Emperor Penguin for sale’ and finally ‘Fresh Citrus scent’ – to deal with those everyday avian odours no doubt!
You have no idea how wonderful it is to see the penguin photos after feeling so blue all week. The big apple is in a dark cloud. It makes me smile like gangbusters when I see the penguins. Life seems so simple for a moment, penguins/ice, ice/penguins. Soothing for a troubled world. Thanks!
I want a penguin 8(
Rhian, could you please email me @ DrDansksta@hotmail.com I have a few questions for you.
Rhian, could you please email me @ DrDansksta@hotmail.com I have a few questions for you.
http://beautifulatrocities.com/archives/2004/12/_merry_xmas_fro.html
MERRY XMAS FROM RHIAN & THE PENGUINS For those who don’t know, Rhian Salmon has been blogging from the British Antarctic Survey the last year. Recently, she was stunned to see a cruise ship full of touists pull up!…
Rhian marry me and we can have penguins together.
Ps the picture is of me lying down in the penguins.
media darling No.2
This is super cute! Thanks for the photos 🙂
These pictures are most beautifull!!! I very like penguins!!!
I’m from Brazil! Lovely photos!!! Congratulations.
will you sell me a penguin? and if you wont do you no how i could purchase one i would really like to have one cz my little sister has cancer and one of the last things she wants is a penguin. plz email me!
Hi, I was wondering if you were near the Phoenix area…we are promoting MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, a documentary about Emperor Penguins and wanted an expert to come speak to our audience about the topic…if not perhaps you know of someone who could help us out? Thanks!
I watched March of the Penguins and cried all the time for their losses.
Lovely photos and descriptions.
After seeing “March of the Penguins”, I had a question–what happens to the eggs and chicks that die and freeze? Are there scavengers? Do the starving penguins themselves ever eat their own dead? In such a harsh environment, it seems that some creature would recycle any fresh-frozen meat lying about.
Absolutely wonderful pictures!!! I’m off to see March of the Penguins tomorrow!
oooooo
oooooo
I LOVE penguins with a passion. If you love penguins and your male IM me Vanillacutie_01@hotmail.com
OMG! PENGUINS ARE SAWEET!!!!!
yAy! pEnGuInS! THEY ARE SOOOO CUTE!!! YES!!! INDEEDIE!!! WOOT! WOOT!
I LOVE PENGUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😉
gay
Those penguins are soooooooo gorgeous. Penguins have always been my favorite animal an always will be! Sally -16
Hi, good fotos… very nice site! You are lucky to have been there.
I take one (posing 2.jpg) for a presentation, i hope you have no problems with this, you can send me it with a higher quality? Thanks
COMMENT BOXXXX YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PENGIUNS
，
，
Good post! Thanks for your information! ed hardy ed hardy