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Emperor Penguin Chick


Emperor Penguin Chick
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1296 W: 0 N: 5061] (15084)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-01-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Penguins in the Wild, Penguins (Spheniscidae), Penguins [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-12 12:30
Viewed: 1407
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a scanned slide - and posting No 30.

I took this picture at Cape Washington, home of one of the largest Emperor Penguin Colonies. By this stage of the season the colony was breaking up. This was one of the few bright days during my journey to the Ross Ice Shelf.

The Emperor stands about 1.3 m (4 ft) and weighs between 20 and 45 kg (44 to 99 lb.). They live along the coasts and neighbouring seas of Antarctica. They are well adapted to the frigid climate. To further protect themselves against the cold, groups of adults and young huddle close to one another. They eat fish and squid that they catch in their sharp beaks while swimming under water.

When Emperor Penguins are courting they display brilliant orange ear patches. They breed during the long darkness of the Antarctic winter, gathering at rookeries during the months of April and May. They do not build nests or establish territories. Within a few hours after the female lays a single egg, the male positions the egg on top of his feet and covers it with a warm fold of abdominal skin. Shortly after, the female travels over the ice to the open sea to feed, leaving the male to incubate the egg. About two months later she will return to feed and raise the newly-hatched chick.

Emperor Penguins have a big head, a short, thick neck, a streamlined shape, a short, wedge-shaped tail, and tiny, flipper-like wings. The sexes are alike, with blue-grey upperparts and blackish-blue heads adorned with large white and yellow ear patches. Their underparts are mostly white but with the upper breast showing a pale yellow. The only penguin remotely similar in size and appearance is the King penguin which is smaller and more brightly marked. Like all penguins, Emperors have shiny, waterproof feathers that help keep their skin dry and webbed feet which they use for swimming.

Unlike most penguins, which feed on surface krill, Emperor penguins live on fish, squid, and crustaceans caught on long, deep pursuit dives. They will quite often reach depths of more than 700 feet and remain submerged for up to 18 minutes.

How close was I? - very - I may even have used my 24-70, as I remember having to move away from the chick.
pvs, ramthakur, Roelena, claudine, methos, Adanac, JPlumb, greenpinkorange has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To trinko: CastJamesp 2 03-13 21:41
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2007-03-12 12:35]

Hi james,

A great composition,especially as it is a scanned slide,well capture,well captured with good colors and details,well done and TFS

Paul

interesting subject nice focus but there's a bit of a blue cast see the workshop

Hi James,
So you have been to Antarctica, too!
This is a fantastic picture of an Emperor Penguin chick, and a scan at that.
Perfect details, colours and contrasts.
The white against the white is just perfect.
The note is a goldmine of information on the species.
Best regards,
Ram

When I saw this pic I asked myself if there is anywhere else in this world something more innocent and pure then such a delicate creature.
It touched me to tears!!!!

Really TFS!

Elena

Hello James,
This is a very nice picture of a nice specie. I like its pose and the details you captured. I also like the colors and texture of the snow. The blue is very dominant but personaly, I like it :) Well done with interesting notes. Thanks,
Claudine

great shot reminds me of that little happy feet character:)

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1098 W: 1 N: 4462] (14976)
  • [2007-03-12 19:35]

Hi James,
You had harsh lighting and overcame it well to give us this nicely detailed and colored capture of this young penquin.
Rick

Hi James, a very nice close and personal shot of this chick. I too thought it was a little blue, and was heading to do a workshop when I saw Tom's. Your detail is incredible.

Thanks, John

Hi James,
I love this one! The pose is so precious!
The details are really nice and the contrast gives it something special.
I like it a lot!

When i look at this, i think 'Happy Feet!' Seen the movie! Hilarious!
I really really love this. The snow and the fur/hair of the penguin is so complimenting. I love the blue tinch that the snow reflects.
Lovely picture.
Steph

Excellent closeup of this artic cutey. The note itself is worth visiting this post. Very nice capture James. :)

Hi James nice one of that little cub,good POV good focus, well done.Alain

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-03-28 22:03]

Hello James

I can't believe that global warming could wipe out this species in just a few years from now.A lovely image with excellent lighting illuminating the soft fluffy feathers.Very good focus and detail.TFS

Rob

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