Gentoo Penguins at O'Higgins Station, Antarctica: May 2016

Monday, May 9, 2016

Last gifs of 2015-2016 season

The chicks are all grown and the end of the 2015-2016 rookery season has come to an end. For this particular area, the production and rearing of chicks has been a huge success. The Gentoos have raised some gorgeous chicks and we had the opportunity to watch the entire event.

At this point, I want to thank the crew of the Gars O'Higgins Station for their perseverence and reliability in maintaining the cams. Without their input, we would have no Gentoo season to treasure and keep forever. So thanks folks... you rock solid.

I will post one more time with what I consider to be the best images of the season, but as the Gentoos are now spending more time at sea than at the rookery, these gifs will be the last until the breeding adults return in September.

Lastly, thank you, our audience, for watching and remembering these little birds in your daily routine. Without penguins, our world would be a much poorer place to live; also, penguins are our indicators for climate change, and if we should lose them, we would be next in line for extinction.

Do what you can to protect all 18 species of penguins. Sign petitions. Protect their food source. Buy seafood and vitamins that do not affect the Antarctic food chains. Be aware that food webs are far ranging and interactive. Think green and watch your carbon footprints. And let's keep all the penguins alive for generations to come.

Lin