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Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are the most abundant of the Antarctic penguins, and by a small margin the southernmost breeders. They spend the winter at sea among the pack ice and return to their breeding colonies (on small islands) in early spring. These pictures were taken after the birds had formed pairs and established nesting territories, but before any eggs were laid (they have to wait for the snow to melt before that can happen). The line of Adelies in the lower photo is marching from their nest sites to the beach. The picture was taken on a heavily overcast day and shows the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula in the background. I was fortunate enough to spend several seasons studying a colony of these irrascible penguins on Torgersen Island, near the U.S. base at Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. |
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