This was taken a few weeks ago while at the Falklands, where we visited Volunteer Point (which we also did 3 years ago). The kings have grown to a colony size of around 4,000 and are/were free from the dreaded Avian Flu. The much smaller colony of Gentoo Penguins are not so lucky and were roped off and we walked through a boot-bath. Mostly I was looking for shots of a baby, ideally being fed by its mother. I got lucky with this as the penguin to the right also looked down at the right time - one assumes it is the dad! Last time I was there the young were grey, so I conclude that these are a few days older - we saw other youngsters all brown, mostly mid-moult and almost as big as the adults. Settings - taken with Olympus equipment at 260mm (so 520mm) - 1/1,000 f8 & ISO 200. PP in Lightroom using a number of masks.
7 comments posted
Steve Cole
WOW ... what a great moment to capture and good light to boot. :) I can only image what a great adventure you must of had in getting this capture. Posted: 04/07/2026 14:02:58
Adrian Binney
Thanks Steve - this is a different type of shot I was taking on the day for interest (taken from my Group 72 entry this month). Posted: 04/08/2026 15:13:17
Adrian Binney
Thanks Steve - this is a different type of shot I was taking on the day for interest (taken from my Group 72 entry this month). Posted: 04/08/2026 20:55:49
Jerry Biddlecom
This is a great story telling capture, with both parents busy tending to their chick. That this is mostly close to being a monotone coloring means that the orange patches really have an impact. The placement of the chick off center adds to the compositional balance. Maybe the bright(ish) area running along the top could be toned down, or even cropped out? Really good effort! Posted: 04/08/2026 21:33:48
Adrian Binney
Many thanks Jerry for your analysis and I will tone down the rear bright areas - you are right, thank you. Posted: 04/09/2026 10:26:56
Maria Mazo
Hi Adrian,
Another great image of these king penguins. The feeling in this image is totally different from the one in Group 72. In this one, the nature story prevails, with the parents taking great care of their little one. The attentive look of one of the parents while the other feeds it is priceless. Posted: 04/14/2026 20:56:37
Cindy Marple
That colony has grown a lot since I was there 15 years ago! It is so special to get to see the younger chicks in that colony. This is a very sweet story with the little one getting fed and the other parent looking on. Nicely cropped / framed.
For me, the edited version has been lightened too much and looks "crunchy" and not natural. I'd just lighten the face of the adults and leave the rest (mostly) as is. The Group 72 image is just right, in that respect.
This is such a special image and memory. Glad to know the colony is doing well. Posted: 04/16/2026 17:20:01
