Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri

The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is truly a bird of the Antarctic region, rarely wandering north to sub-antarctic waters. The Emperors breed on sea ice and are said to endure the coldest conditions on earth of any bird. The nesting cycle begins in the fall in March or April when the birds gather on sea ice to begin courtship. In May or June a single egg is laid which the male carries on top of his feet for about two months until hatching. During this time the female is at sea foraging, returning to the colony about the time the egg is laid in August or September. In December, 2001, I was one of the leaders on a Victor Emanuel Nature Tours Antarctica trip to the Ross Sea of Antarctica. This was VENT's first trip to "the other side" of Antarctica, and our first chance to see numbers of Emperors. On this page will be photos of Emperors and their chicks taken in early December, 2001. All photos were taken with a Canon EOS 3 camera and a Canon EF 70-200 mm F2.8 L lens and 2X extender from a tripod on Fuji Velvia film. Most of the photos were taken between midnight and 3:00 A.M. since in this region of 24-hour daylight the light was most lovely at that time of day. An adult Emperor Penguin at Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica.
A view of a small area of the Emperor Penguin colony at Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica
Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica.
Emperors often move from one place to the next on their bellies, sliding along on the snow and propelling themselves along with their flippers and their feet. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
Like the three adults in a previous image, the chick in the next two shots is learning to slide on its belly. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.

Two adult Emperors, probably a mated pair. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
A chick surveys the colony. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
An adult Emperor Penguin with a chick. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
Close up detail of the head a a chick. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.


This chick is vocalizing. At this age they make little peeping sounds rather than the very impressive trumpeting calls of the adults. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
The next three shots show a pair interacting. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.


The next two shots show close up detail of the feet of an adult Emperor Penguin. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.

The next two shots show tracks in the snow where Emperors have slid past.

A chick enjoys the sunny day. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
The next two shots show an adult feeding a chick. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.

Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.


The adult Emperor in this shot has not really lost its head! These birds often sleep in this position, with the head hanging down one side. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
An adult exercises his flippers in this shot, while the next image shows a chick doing the same thing. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.

Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
Two chicks keep each other company. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
Another view of the Emperor Penguin colony at Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
Another view of the Emperor Penguin colony at Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.
A line of adult Emperors making their way from the edge of the sea back to the colony. Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.



Adult Emperors swimming.
Here I am!
The next five shots were taken at the Drygalski Ice Tongue, Ross Sea, Antarctica, in December, 2001, with a Canon EOS 3 and an EF 70-200 F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.




The next five shots were taken on Coulman Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica, December, 2001. Canon EOS 3 and an EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L lens on Fuji Velvia film.




This shot shows another small Emperor colony at Cape Roget, Ross Sea, Antarctica.