Maji Bransfield

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The latest from Instagram:

Cuverville Island: A few more views of the colony and surrounding landscape. Nesting Gentoo penguins turn their backs to the chilly wind - in almost perfect unison.

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#🐧

Cuverville Island: Two Gentoo penguins stomp over the green and pink algae blooms in the snow just outside the colony.

#Antarctica
#Gentoopenguin
#snowalgae
#latergram

Cuverville Island: Here's a view of the rocky suburbs of the Gentoo penguin colony.

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#🐧

Cuverville Island: (3 of 3) Gentoo penguin nests & the 3 amigos!

Loved spotting this trio snuggled together! It's likely they're not all siblings but it was interesting to see the adult gather them together - and feed the largest chick.
In the second photo, the adult gathers the three, guarding them from the threat of airborne predators like the ever-present Brown skua.

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#penguinnests
#🐧

Cuverville Island: (2 of 3) Gentoo penguin nests & a pair of chicks.

Nests with 2 chicks were common at this colony and certainly appeared the most cozy.

The chicks were beginning to look like smaller versions of their parents but without the warm, waterproof feathers of the adult.

In this wind, most remained nestled together near the parent's upright body - looking like a large pair of fuzzy gray slippers.

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#penguinnests
#🐧

Cuverville Island: (1 of 3) Gentoo penguin nests & the single chick.

Gentoo penguins usually lay two eggs but it was not unusual to see an adult on a nest with a single chick.

It was cold and windy so I was extra thrilled to see this little face look up between snuggles - and how about those bright orange feet?

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#penguinnests
#🐧

Cuverville Island: A closer look at the Gentoo colony and their rocky nests. When compared to the harsh surroundings, those pebble nests begin to look downright cozy.

Can you guess which way the wind was blowing? Parents use their backs to shelter the youngsters from the chilly wind.

Note: there is one penguin (center) facing the wind but has no visible chick in the nest.

#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuvervilleisland
#gentoopenguins
#ErreraChannel
#🐧

Cuverville Island: Dramatic backdrop across the channel (almost) upstages the large Gentoo penguin colony sprawled out along the beach and up the rocky coast of the island.

This island was named by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition 1897-1899 for a French Navy Admiral.

#SablePinnacles
#Antarctica
#latergram
#cuverville
#gentoopenguin
#ErreraChannel

Errera Channel: Moody light on the layers of ice as we approached Cuverville Island.

#antarctica
#errerachannel
#latergram
#glaciers

Orne Harbour: Chinstrap penguin guards over two gray fluffy chicks using the rocky nooks for added protection from airborne predators and the elements.
If you look closely, you may be able to spot the pink feet of the chicks and a nosy upstairs neighbor.
Just loved spending time up here with the Chinstraps but soon it was time to return to the boat and continue down the coast.
So much more to explore.

#Antarctica
#chinstrappenguins
#latergram
#HansHansson
#🐧

Orne Harbour: A few more views from the hilltop visit with the Chinstraps.

#antarctica
#OrneHarbor
#Chinstrappenguin
#latergram
🐧

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— Jacques Yves Cousteau

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