Gentoo Penguins generally have two chicks, often favoring the larger one with more food. Quite often only one chick survives to adulthood, however, here, both look very healthy. The warming of Antarctica in recent years has provided for less harsh conditions and has made life easier for some of its inhabitants.

They are fairly large birds, standing about 18" tall. Their fine, shiny black feathers look more like fur than feather, and it does an excellent job of insulating them as they swim through the chilly Antarctic waters in search of food.

They are found along the Antarctic Peninsula in great numbers from December through March as they race to lay their eggs and raise the young before the short summer season ends. They're only natural enemy being the Leopard Seal, they are unafraid around humans and will walk up and peck people that get to close to their nests. For this shot I used a telephoto lens in order to not disturb them and was rewarded with this very special moment.