It was a windy day in the Falklands when this king penguin chick came to pay me a visit. I was on the ground photographing one penguin when suddenly another started pecking at the back of my shoes. The perfect opportunity for my fisheye lens. With all those not-yet-fledged feathers, you could really see the wind in action. Nikon D810 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 400, f/8 at 1/1250th of a second.
Ha, yes, plenty of poop. But it’s penguin poop and not all poop is created equal. Sue, I generally wear non-cotton, somewhat waterproof pants and jacket that are quick drying, but I do get quite filthy by the end of a trip. And, in fact, my expensive Arcteryx jacket split in half after this penguin trip — I think due to all the time spent crawling around on the ground. I’ve tried those right angle finders to get low, but ultimately, it just works better for me to get down on the ground myself.
HI Aunt Sue, these were older chicks. I believe about one year old. Half of them had already started to lose the brown feathers and they were in all stages of molt.
I got a few of the rockhopper penguins surrounding my feet. They really have no fear of humans. At least the rockhopper penguins. The Magellanic penguins are quite fearful.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a photo of a juvenile king penguin! So so glad he came by for a visit. We all ought to pitch in to replace your jacket–a casualty of all your down-on-the-ground efforts–which WE benefit from! (Not volunteering for laundry duty though.)
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It was a windy day in the Falklands when this king penguin chick came to pay me a visit. I was on the ground photographing one penguin when suddenly another started pecking at the back of my shoes. The perfect opportunity for my fisheye lens. With all those not-yet-fledged feathers, you could really see the wind in action. Nikon D810 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 400, f/8 at 1/1250th of a second.
The non fledged feathers look like fur! And Sean, you’re flat on the ground? Isn’t there a lot of penguin poop there?
And while we are on the subject, Sean, how DO you keep your clothes clean and dry when you capture such low angle images?
Ha, yes, plenty of poop. But it’s penguin poop and not all poop is created equal. Sue, I generally wear non-cotton, somewhat waterproof pants and jacket that are quick drying, but I do get quite filthy by the end of a trip. And, in fact, my expensive Arcteryx jacket split in half after this penguin trip — I think due to all the time spent crawling around on the ground. I’ve tried those right angle finders to get low, but ultimately, it just works better for me to get down on the ground myself.
Thanks for pointing out the wind you can almost feel it pushing cost to one side
Big Chick how old st that size?
Aunt Sue
HI Aunt Sue, these were older chicks. I believe about one year old. Half of them had already started to lose the brown feathers and they were in all stages of molt.
Looks like a brown cushion from a basement couch. I bet that thing bites! How tall is that chick?
They peck, rather than Bite. The adults are about 3 feet and these chicks were just a bit shorter than that.
great pic. ) did you take any more pic. after he started pecking at shoe. ? ) I hope escape before the whole herd came after you. )
I got a few of the rockhopper penguins surrounding my feet. They really have no fear of humans. At least the rockhopper penguins. The Magellanic penguins are quite fearful.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a photo of a juvenile king penguin! So so glad he came by for a visit. We all ought to pitch in to replace your jacket–a casualty of all your down-on-the-ground efforts–which WE benefit from! (Not volunteering for laundry duty though.)