Of the five species of penguins that I photographed in the Falkland Islands, the Magellanic penguins were the only ones that don’t live in colonies, but rather, in burrows. They can typically be seen popping out of these holes in the ground, surveying the area for any danger before either going back down, or waddling away to do whatever it is that needs doing. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/125th of a second.

This rockhopper waddled right over to me as if he had a few questions before allowing me to photograph the colony. They certainly had the most attitude of the five species of penguin that I was fortunate to photograph in the Falkland Islands. This colony was on Saunders Island — the first of the four islands that I visited. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second.

The Cobb’s wren is a fairly plain looking little guy, but it does hold the distinction of being one of only two birds endemic to the Falkland Islands. And despite their uniformly brown appearance and rather small size, they do have lots of personality. On my visit, they would regularly land feet away from me to check out what I was up to. They spend most of their time on the ground which makes them very susceptible to predation by rats and other small carnivores. Luckily, there are no rats or foxes on the islands in the Falklands that Cobb’s wrens inhabit. If this should change, however, and rats were accidentally introduced, the Cobb’s wren would be a sure bet for extinction.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/800th of a second

It’s difficult in a photograph to communicate the size of an albatross. So you’ll just have to take my word for it. These guys are big, but even so, the black-browed albatross is only considered a medium sized albatross. Their wing span only goes to eight feet unlike some of their cousins who can spread those wings up to eleven feet. These two, however, are giving a nice look at a typical mating display. Apparently threatening to eat one’s face is considered a turn on to the albatross.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/500th of a second

There’s a single beach on Saunders Island in the Falklands where it’s possible to see four different species of penguin — the Magellanic, macaroni, rockhopper and gentoo. Rockhoppers live together in a hillside colony, along with an occasional and rare (and most likely lost) macaroni trying to fit in as if hoping no one will notice. Magellanics are less social and live in single family burrows that can be found almost anywhere on the landscape surrounding the beach. The beach itself, is ruled by the gentoos. This gentoo seemed to be sounding some sort of alarm to anyone who would listen.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 240mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second

I like when I can get a dark background in a scene that has plenty of light on the subject. Here a rockhopper penguin takes a moment to preen while standing in front of a shadowy cliff on Saunders Island in the Falklands.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 170mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/8000th of as second

These two gentoo penguins were just finishing up a day at sea, returning to their colony as the twilight sky saturated the surface of the water at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second

The most personable of all the penguins (at least of the five species that I had the pleasure of meeting) is the rockhopper. Thought I’d post a close up portrait of one of these fun little guys. Nice when you can get sunlight on the subject but with a dark shadowy background. Taken on Saunders Island in the Falklands.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/2500th of a second

I wish I had a bit more room at the top of this shot, but tough to catch these guys when they suddenly pop out of the water and ride a wave into the shore. It’s like playing wack a mole with the camera. It was, however, one of my favorite penguin behaviors to shoot when on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. Other penguins also swim in a similar fashion, but it’s the gentoos who really shoot out of the water with such flair.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/1600th of a second

There are a few ways to visit Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands. You can visit as part of a four-hour landing from a cruise ship. Or as a day trip from the capital of Staley. Or, if there’s room, you can stay at the Warden’s cottage for a few days. I chose the latter. Which meant that I could stay out as late as I wanted, and get up as early as I wanted. And be alone with the 1000 or so king penguins (not to mention the countless gentoo and Magellanic penguins). This photo of four kings marching along an inlet was taken at the tail end of the day, long after the cruise ship had departed and the last of the day trippers were back in Stanley. Without doubt, the best way to visit.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second