King Penguins breed under some of the harshest conditions and due to their unusually long breeding cycle of 14-16 months in this part of the world, really only get to reproduce twice every 2-3 years. Mating usually starts so chicks are born during the harshest months. This allows mature penguins who leave their parents, to do so in the summer when food is plentiful, allowing for their best chance at survival alone. Visiting in November, we were hitting the tail end of the breeding cycle, that spans from September, with couples who were unsuccessful last cycle starting even earlier. When the egg is laid, both couples take turns incubating it, balancing it on their feet and covering it with a warm layer of feathered skin called a brood pouch, while the other goes out to sea to hunt for fish. About two months later, the chick will hatch and spend another 30-40 days under this pouch for protection. After that period, the chicks are large enough to protect themselves and start curiously exploring their world. Then in light of all that, factor in their baby might not even survive and make it into childhood during that time. Life in South Georgia is so very fragile and so very precious. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.437" S 35°56'31.692" W
This adorable female elephant seal was bobbing her head up and down the whole time I was near her. I think she may have been trying to toss sand on her back, which could be to keep her body temperature comfortable while on land. Each time she kept getting higher and higher, her mouth crept open further. I just waited and timed this shot, at the highest point of her motion, mouth and eyes fully open with wonder, and a pink tongue in all its glory. It was almost like she knew I was wanting to photograph her, so she put on her best show. St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'10.979" S 36°11'17.441" W
Can you believe this elephant seal photobombed me? I was watching this King preen itself over and over for a few minutes and particularly liked how it had its neck and head angled, with its beak flush to its body. So I snapped away, casually glanced at my screen in the bright sun, confirming I got it and walked away. It wasn’t until later that night when I was looking through my photos from the day, back on the ship, when I noticed the photobombing elephant seal. She just wanted to wave and say “Hi there, the Kings aren’t the only things here you can photograph you know?" St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'11.099" S 36°11'17.682" W
