Gentoo Egg Watch 2013 Part 1

I have been so remiss about posting images that it's taken me quite a while to filter through all the images captured since the last posting. Okay, so with 4 cams snapping images every 15 minutes... well, you do the math. Finally, I'm up to date and just in time, as within the next few weeks, there should be chicks a hatching. Yes. That's right. CHICKS!  What we've been waiting all year to see, right?  So, let's go---

The above image shoes our valiant paramour building quite a next for his lady fair. That nest is such a boss that uh-oh, don't look now, but someone is having nest envy! 

 Now, we look quite content on our big arse nest, eh? Or since this capture was taken on 12-02, could that be egg laying?

 I don't know whether he's checking his handiwork or expecting an imminent hatching.

 Now who's looking at what?

A good old penguin "yawp!"

 

 Let's not forget the ecstasy position, either. 

 More checking...

... and still more checking...

 

Ah-ha! I see an egg!

 

C'mon honey, I'm hungry!

 

More posturing...

 

Time to swap out and go eat... 

(to be continued...)

Gentoo Rookery Update

It's been several days since I posted images from Gars O'Higgins Station Gentoo Rookery, so I thought I'd post plenty of them today. As you can see, nests are at the ready because these birds know that any day now, eggs will be laid. Notice that they continually peer inside the nest to be sure the egg is not there. Reminds me of  OCD tendencies. But they instinctively are geared to preserve and protect that egg at all costs. The Gentoos know they have one shot at reproduction and they can't muck that up.

Anyway, enjoy these images and I'll be keeping a very close eye on our center most pair, watching with all the OCD fervor I can muster in the hope that I don't miss that egg either.

~~wiinterrr~~

Gentoo Rookery Update

 Coming in after a long fishing session

 Hey, there's a camera; didja know that?

 The importance of good grooming, especially if you're a penguin

 Together, at last

 A little distraction

 

 Just chillin' out

 Somebody's doing some talking in the back...

 Take it in, my magnificence, but slowly...

And more arrive...

Doesn't this just look like a marriage ceremony?

And the best man, er, penguin, makes a speech?

And then the first dance?

And then, the revelers party on?

Now, for pictures...

AND, then it's back to normal with the bride taking a snooze.  lolol

A Day at the Gentoo Rookery

Gentoo Rookery Update

Preening, preening, and more preening

Admiring the icebergs

I have no head!!!!

Ha! Fooled you, I did!

Full body shot... take it all in, universe!

An "awww" moment

Every day I'm shufflin'...

An overview of the station's rookery with approaching snow showers in the background