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Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Windy Bay

I'm lying on the snow, emperor penguins all around. Once you get used to the sight, the sound and then smell are probably the most noticeable things. The constant cooing, deep throttle cooing: da da da daa di da da daa di da da daa daa. A rattle and a coo, constantly starting and ending, sometimes in unison, a chorus, sometimes a chant, always in surround sound. On top of this is the sweet demanding chirrup of chicks, almost a trill. "Feed me." "Where are you?"

The chicks are now getting quite big and plump. Some of them almost up to the height of their parent's shoulders if they stretch. These ones should make it. There are little ones too, not necessarily abandoned, just later hatches. These will make it as long as the ice stays for long enough and, of course, that both parents keep returning with food. Then there are the tiny ones, occassionally fostered by chickless adults but not fed. Finally, there are the dead chicks, of all sizes, frozen into the ice.

As I stay still and write this, inquisitive adults approach. Never so close that I could touch them easily but within reaching distance. The recent warmth (~ -20C) makes an amazing difference since I can lie here and observe, writing in thinnies [glove liners]. The downside however, is the stench. Fishy ammonia, green-brown penguin poo streaks all across the ice. Not dissimilar from pigeons. Birds is birds I guess.

One is now so close I see his reptilian feet, gnarled toes, long hard nails for pulling out of the ice. He is standing very still, rounded back, dark black stripes graffitied down his neck. He moves out of the way and a parent and chick move in. The chick, fluffy grey, runs off like a toddler exploring and the parent patiently follows through the crowd. I could stay here for hours but have been told it's time to go.

Da da da daa di di di daaa di di di daa daa.

Posted by Rhian at 8:35 EST

Comments

What are the cliffs on the horizon? Have you gotten there yet? How far are the penguins from Halley? Got a good map over there of your area you can take a digitial shot of and show us?

Posted by: Stefan Geens at 12:13 EST, November 02, 2004

Excellent as ever, and you would laugh if you saw the ads that Google is throwing up alongside your latest post - 'Penguins:ebay fantastic low prices', 'Emperor Penguin for sale' and finally 'Fresh Citrus scent' - to deal with those everyday avian odours no doubt!

Posted by: Russ at 15:29 EST, November 02, 2004

You have no idea how wonderful it is to see the penguin photos after feeling so blue all week. The big apple is in a dark cloud. It makes me smile like gangbusters when I see the penguins. Life seems so simple for a moment, penguins/ice, ice/penguins. Soothing for a troubled world. Thanks!

Posted by: Michelle at 0:22 EST, November 05, 2004

I want a penguin 8(

Posted by: Brian Hunter at 16:55 EST, November 18, 2004

Rhian, could you please email me @ DrDansksta@hotmail.com I have a few questions for you.

Posted by: Brian Hunter at 17:10 EST, November 18, 2004

Rhian, could you please email me @ DrDansksta@hotmail.com I have a few questions for you.

Posted by: Brian Hunter at 17:26 EST, November 18, 2004

Rhian marry me and we can have penguins together.

Ps the picture is of me lying down in the penguins.

media darling No.2

Posted by: craigy at 22:38 EST, February 03, 2005

This is super cute! Thanks for the photos :)

Posted by: Bibi at 14:41 EST, June 20, 2005

These pictures are most beautifull!!! I very like penguins!!!

Posted by: laze at 7:49 EST, June 22, 2005

I'm from Brazil! Lovely photos!!! Congratulations.

Posted by: Fabiana Rocha at 9:04 EST, June 22, 2005

will you sell me a penguin? and if you wont do you no how i could purchase one i would really like to have one cz my little sister has cancer and one of the last things she wants is a penguin. plz email me!

Posted by: derrek thomas at 2:11 EST, June 27, 2005

Hi, I was wondering if you were near the Phoenix area...we are promoting MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, a documentary about Emperor Penguins and wanted an expert to come speak to our audience about the topic...if not perhaps you know of someone who could help us out? Thanks!

Posted by: Kristin at 14:52 EST, June 30, 2005

I watched March of the Penguins and cried all the time for their losses.

Posted by: Kathrina at 11:47 EST, July 14, 2005

Lovely photos and descriptions.

After seeing "March of the Penguins", I had a question--what happens to the eggs and chicks that die and freeze? Are there scavengers? Do the starving penguins themselves ever eat their own dead? In such a harsh environment, it seems that some creature would recycle any fresh-frozen meat lying about.

Posted by: ellen at 23:19 EST, July 23, 2005

Absolutely wonderful pictures!!! I'm off to see March of the Penguins tomorrow!

Posted by: Irene at 20:23 EST, August 17, 2005

oooooo

Posted by: pp at 1:51 EST, September 04, 2006

oooooo

Posted by: pp at 1:51 EST, September 04, 2006

I LOVE penguins with a passion. If you love penguins and your male IM me Vanillacutie_01@hotmail.com

Posted by: Vanilla at 23:46 EST, September 21, 2006

OMG! PENGUINS ARE SAWEET!!!!!
yAy! pEnGuInS! THEY ARE SOOOO CUTE!!! YES!!! INDEEDIE!!! WOOT! WOOT!
I LOVE PENGUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
;)

Posted by: Blair at 9:53 EST, January 04, 2007

gay

Posted by: JORDAN at 11:46 EST, January 11, 2007

Those penguins are soooooooo gorgeous. Penguins have always been my favorite animal an always will be! Sally -16

Posted by: Sally at 8:13 EST, January 16, 2007

Hi, good fotos... very nice site! You are lucky to have been there.
I take one (posing 2.jpg) for a presentation, i hope you have no problems with this, you can send me it with a higher quality? Thanks

Posted by: maurizio at 13:48 EST, January 22, 2007

COMMENT BOXXXX YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PENGIUNS

Posted by: ALFRED at 8:35 EST, February 08, 2007