This Chinstrap penguin on Barrientos Island, Antarctica is just curious.
After two days of mist and gloom in the Drake Passage, our ship reached the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. Barrientos Island was our first landing ashore. While uninhabited by man, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins are there in good numbers.
In the water, these marine birds are on constant watch for predator whales and leopard seals. Overhead, brown skuas and giant petrels will steal their eggs and chicks. With humans, they are not afraid. Humans don’t harm them and are a novelty.
This is a Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) walking quickly down a hill, curious to see the travelers coming to his island. He will probe your gear and nibble on your mud boots.
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Captions
Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) on Barrientos Island in Antarctica.
Chinstrap-Pinguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) auf Barrientos-Insel in der Antarktis.
Pingüino de barbijo (Pygoscelis antarcticus) en la isla de Barrientos en la Antártida.
Manchot à jugulaire (Pygoscelis antarcticus) sur l'île Barrientos en Antarctique.