As of yesterday, the chicks have grown large enough to be seen wedged against (not under) their mums and dads. At this point they become very vulnerable to predators. But what comes next is worse on obsessed parents: walking.
Once the little guys get a taste of freedom, it's hard to keep them on the nest. Of course, this causes parents to become uber-protective and extra grouchy.
Most everyone's eggs hatched during the Christmas/New Year holiday period. There is one young couple who tried vainly to produce a chick, but they had to abandon the idea when the egg did not hatch. That was sad. Two penguins staring intently at a fallow egg, waiting for the slimmest of chances that it will hatch.
Still, this is the best time of the year for penguin viewing. And this year, even South Georgia is boasting a large raft of young King penguins. How wonderful. Don't you just wish summer would never come to the Northern Hemisphere. :)
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