Penguins are everywhere in the Falkland Islands. And macaroni penguins are the most numerous species of penguin in the world. But there aren’t many macaroni penguins in the Falklands. In fact, I only saw a total of four of them in two weeks — always mixed in amongst colonies of rockhopper penguins. This lone macaroni (the one on the right with the nice yellow locks) was mixing it up with all the rockhoppers. From what I was told, the macaroni is a female and the male rockhoppers found her exotic look appealing. They were all trying to “get with her.” The scrum was mostly rockhopper against rockhopper, all vying for the prize, but in the process she was getting knocked around too. Being a bit larger in size than the rockhoppers, she was clearly holding her own. But you can see that the two species are quite similar, although there is a clear difference in size, shape and those yellow strands of hair. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/1000th of a second
Fantastic shot, Sean, of what you report is a rarely seen species in the Falklands. You have also captured the crazy atmosphere of the gathering of the males with this lovely lady in the middle of the scrimmage. This image is impressive for its lack of noise, considering the high ISO you were shooting at. Did you have to crop in on this or are we seeing the full image? Anyway, nicely done!
I was wondering that, too, and this is what I found. ‘The Macaroni penguin was named by English explorers. In the mid 18th century, a young man who wore flashy feathers in his hat was called a “Macaroni”. The English explorers thought the yellow crest feathers of this penguin looked just like the flashy young man.’
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Penguins are everywhere in the Falkland Islands. And macaroni penguins are the most numerous species of penguin in the world. But there aren’t many macaroni penguins in the Falklands. In fact, I only saw a total of four of them in two weeks — always mixed in amongst colonies of rockhopper penguins. This lone macaroni (the one on the right with the nice yellow locks) was mixing it up with all the rockhoppers. From what I was told, the macaroni is a female and the male rockhoppers found her exotic look appealing. They were all trying to “get with her.” The scrum was mostly rockhopper against rockhopper, all vying for the prize, but in the process she was getting knocked around too. Being a bit larger in size than the rockhoppers, she was clearly holding her own. But you can see that the two species are quite similar, although there is a clear difference in size, shape and those yellow strands of hair.
Fantastic shot, Sean, of what you report is a rarely seen species in the Falklands. You have also captured the crazy atmosphere of the gathering of the males with this lovely lady in the middle of the scrimmage. This image is impressive for its lack of noise, considering the high ISO you were shooting at. Did you have to crop in on this or are we seeing the full image? Anyway, nicely done!
…and she is called “macaroni” because?????
I was wondering that, too, and this is what I found. ‘The Macaroni penguin was named by English explorers. In the mid 18th century, a young man who wore flashy feathers in his hat was called a “Macaroni”. The English explorers thought the yellow crest feathers of this penguin looked just like the flashy young man.’
Thanks Rachel. I figured it had to do with those yellow strands, just didn’t know there was flashy young 18th Century man involved.
🙂
—– Which circle of hell this
—– Rockhoppers sexual frenzy
—– For a British dandy .
Put a feather in his cap and called it Macaroni.
This is amazing. This is going to be fun.