In honor of World Penguin Day last Saturday, April 25th, I wanted to share an image of this family of emperor penguins I found at Atka Bay in Antarctica. It was a difficult shoot due to ice conditions that blocked our passage for five of the six days we were planning to visit this penguin rookery. On the day I shot this image, the ambient temperature was well below 0°F. The day before we were shooting in -25°F!
Adult emperor penguins can stand from 43 to 51 inches tall. Their weight ranges from 50 to 100 pounds and varies by sex, with males weighing more than females.
Emperor penguins have the most difficult nesting season of any animal on the planet. The male will incubate the egg for up to two months in temperatures as cold as -40°F, with the egg placed on its feet. During this time, the female is out to sea. If all goes well, the chick will hatch and the female comes back to take her partner's place.
Like polar bears, penguins are being affected by a warming climate. Find out more by visiting International Penguin Conservation Work Group.