Emperor Penguin
“Polar Porthole” – Snow Hill Island, Antarctica – David C. Schultz – Featured Photographer
Happy Birthday Mom! Our mom turns the big 60 today and I bet she is thrilled to know we just told the whole world (or maybe just the 10,000 people that follow this blog) So for her birthday David presented us with an amazing penguin (her favorite animal) image.
David has been to Antarctica so many times I think he has started collecting mail there. If not he surely is collecting an amazing portfolio at www.westlightimages.com . Please read his story below and find out that photographing penguins can be pretty difficult to reach, but they are more than willing models once you arrive!
Enter David:
The photograph was taken during a voyage to Antarctica’s, Snow Hill Island which is located along the peninsula in the Weddell Sea. This was my fourth trip to the continent but the first time to this particular location. The emphasis of the trip was reaching and photographing the Emperor penguins. To do so an icebreaker, The Kapitan Khlebnikov, along with two helicopters and a bit of hiking across the sea ice was required.
Once we arrived the ship is parked in the fast-ice as close to the known location of the rookery. In this case it was about a ten mile helicopter flight to reach our base camp set up among the massive icebergs which had been frozen in all winter. From there a hike across the ice brought us to the penguin colony. Several days were spent here in a wide range of weather conditions, none being warm.
On the fourth day out I noticed a brilliant blue and well defined hole in a relatively small iceberg about fifty yards from one of the penguin rookeries. I knew it could be used to frame a shot if the penguins would cooperate. Yah, right. It was the wrong time of day with the light coming in from behind me when I first discovered this opportunity. I knew the blue of the previously melted ice which formed the hole would record much more intensely if the light was not direct. I returned late in the afternoon, much better light, and I proceeded to see if I could coax some penguins into the shot.
Fortunately Emperor penguins, especially the gray, black and white fluffy chicks, are very curious. I laid down on the ice near the penguins and each time they approached me I slid back away slowly making my way to a pre-determined spot in front of the hole. At one point I had about thirty penguins, both chicks and adults, following me across the ice. I only wish I’d set up my video camera ahead of time to record the procession! What an incredible experience!
It took over an hour but once I’d reached my mark I slowly stood up and made my way around to the opposite side of the iceberg where I had one of my cameras set up on a tripod ready to go. At first there were too many penguins framed within the hole. I took a few shots and then just waited around for them to get bored. After about twenty minutes I had what I was after, a profile view of a single penguin perfectly framed by Mother Nature.
Here are links to images which show the group of penguin chicks that started to follow me and a front view of the actual iceberg.
http://westlightimages.com/gallery/Penguins.htm#7 chicks
http://westlightimages.com/gallery/Penguins.htm#13 iceberg
http://youtu.be/rLcpYeiQ_DQ Video I shot of the Emperor penguins
Nikon D700, Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 @185mm
Gitzo Carbon Fiber Mountaineer, Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead
I’ve been to Antarctica seven times now and have two more trips coming up in November. I’ll be taking clients down with me this time on photo tours. Information can be found on my website, www.westlightimages.com
Share and Enjoy
PhotoBotos thinks that these photos are related to today's photo:
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cool photo!
Happy birthday to your mum! And I love this image!
Wow that photo is incredible. That ice looks cold.
Neat shot here! I almost love seeing that aqua blue ice just as much as the cute penguin.
Very cool…literally! We love penguins!
Bella and DiDi
That is so good. Wow.
What a shot!!!
Liked this picture a lot. It must have been a magnificent experience just being among the Emperor Penguins, such dignified creatures! The colors in the picture are very good. As mentioned in the description, its the output of a lot of hard work, so its bound to pay off!
Gorgeous color! Amazing shot!
Oh! Happy Birthday to your mom! Such an awesome shot!
Amazing. Reminds me a bit of the show Frozen Planet. I love penguins
Sue Bock
Http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
I love the colors in the picture and was amused to see that the snow formation in the back looks like it’s sitting on the penguin’s head.
Wow! That is Awesome!
Beautiful shot!! A very happy birthday to your Mom!!
Just beautiful….
Love this so much.
Happy Birthday.
Please may I use Island of Morel photo to go with a poem?
Brilliant !!!
Perfect gift for your Mom. Happy 60th to your Mom!! (my turn next year !)
Wonderful photograph, so well-framed. Happy birthday too for Mom.
Great story and links. Love this blog!
Wonderful color and image. Happy Birthday to you mom!
Happy birthday, Mom!
And I’d say this shot is worth the patience and ingenuity it took to get. The delicious aqua of the ice, the deeper blue of the sky, that contrasting splash of yellow on the penguin posing like he’s too cool for the Antarctic. In my eyes, it’s pretty much perfect. (:
Just amazing! Happy Birthday “Mom”!!
I’m saving this to view on one of our hot, muggy summer days. I love extreme cold. Thanks for the visuals!
Wow, this image is so vivid at first I thought it to be an illustration. I am going to have to pinterest this my friend.
Cheers!
M
Wishing your Mum a very Happy Birthday! Lovely photo:)
Thanks everyone for taking time to check out my Emperor penguin photo and for the much appreciated comments!
There was a question about a “rookery”. You’ll have the “colony” which is the entire group of penguins and then the rookery is “usually” a smaller group of both adults and checks. The colony will return to the same location each year to lay a single egg at the beginning of winter.
First – HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO YOUR MOM!!
Second – Amazing photo! I love how nature created the perfect frame. I’m beginning to see a pattern of patience for these amazing shots. Guess I’ll have to work on mine. 
Happy birthday to your mom! This is a lovely photo, thought-provoking. I have always loved that particular blue. Great shot!
Imaginative shot. Cute penguin.
Cool! Really!
Happy birthday to your young mom! Enjoy the picture, it is great!
how cool is that!
Wow. What dedication to get a photo. Great story. And happy birthday to your very young mom!
BEAUTIFUL …..
THE EMPEROR PENGUIN IS ONE OF MY FAVE ANIMALS …………… “MARCH OF THE PENGUINS ” PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT NARRATIVE MOVIES OUT THERE ……
CAT
WHAT A LIFE AND JOURNEY THEY HAVE ….
BEAUTIFUL ….
Such a beautiful photo. Even if that penguin had not been present, it’d be an amazing picture. Clearly a talented person behind the lens.
Tooooooo beautiful. And happy birthday to your mom.
Alright that’s it, I’m renting March of the Penguins.
So sweet and I how love the color blue.
What an incredible story and picture! What an incredible site! What an incredibly sweet present for your mom! Happy Birthday, Mom!
what a great story to go with such an interesting shot!
i esp like the way the opening slants opposite the tilt of the penguin too, both gracefully pulling away from a center like in a dance step
oh, is a rookery where babies are nurtured? or more just a place of gathering?
anyway, enjoyed the pic and story, thanks!
amazing shot. Wonder what the penguin was thinking? Must be soemthing profound.
Happy Birthday … To your mum! Great photo – my favorite “animal/bird” – spend 3 months in Antarctica and they are such an amazing creatures. Just like us in so much and they have a really rough and tough existence – my favorite is the Rock Hoppers, small and tough. This is a stunning photo of a magnificent bird.
Well worth the effort!
Great shot and incredible story! Well done!
Happy feet!
Happy 60th birthday to your mom!