Rockhopper penguins

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)

The Rockhopper Penguin at the Falkland Islands is one of the many penguin species that do not live in snow and ice. However, at the breeding colonies and in the waters surrounding the stunning archipelago they face rough winds and extreme weather changes. During low tide they do not only have to climb the rocks in their popular manner but also have to cross broad tidal flats despite sand storms and high sun radiation. These birds are caring to their partner and chicks, but can be aggressive towards others. At this breeding colony at Saunders Island the Rockhopper Penguins enjoy the luxury of a natural freshwater shower. But standing in line and waiting is certainly not their cup of tea, so the next quarrel is always bound to occur. When going out to sea and returning they find safety in large numbers, cooperating peacefully to puzzle the lurking Sea Leopards and Orcas.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 29th, 2011 at 3:39 pm. It is filed under Awards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.