A warm welcome - a photo on Flickriver

A warm welcome

            A Rockhopper Penguin gives an angry welcome to its mate !
Taken on West Point Island, The Falklands, on the way down to Antarctica.

Fifteen million penguins live in the South Atlantic (excluding sub-Antarctic and Antarctic areas). A large proportion of these are to be found in the the Falkland Islands which hold the world's largest concentration of Rockhopper Penguins and a quarter of the world population of Gentoo penguins, with three other breeding species (King, Magellanic and Macaroni). 

Penguins are among the most popular of birds today yet they were exploited by mankind in the Falkland Islands for at least two centuries. Millions were slaughtered for their oil from late in the 18th century. Eggs of all four species of penguin have been taken for food since men reached the Falklands. In 1871 a colony of Rockhoppers at Sparrow Cove near Stanley yielded 25,000 eggs, but none breed there today. 

In the present century the coastal breeding sites and a flightless, aquatic life style make penguins highly vulnerable to oil pollution, entanglement in marine debris and changes in the marine ecosystem. Falkland waters are already subject to large scale commercial fisheries. The imminent exploration for oil in Falkland waters makes research into the at sea distribution status and life style of penguins an urgent priority.

Taken in: Falkland Islands / West Falkland (show map)

Taken on: December 10, 2008

Tags:

Falkland Islands

A warm welcome

Penguin

West point island

bird

feathers

black

white

eyebrows

angry

nature

colony

mv Discovery

Discovery

expedition

avian

john dalkin

heavens gate (john)

born free

The Perfect Photographer

flickrdiamond

The Unforgettable Picture

SuperShot

TheUnforgettablePictures

25+faves « less

Sets appears in: • My "Most Favourited" Photos • The Falkland Islands more » • Birds « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • Wildlife Photography more » • Walking In Nature • Nature Group: From animals to plants. • Amateurs • visit the world - the travel guide • A Picture of Life • Travel Photography • animal lovers • Just Photos. [No AI or SL] • NATUREPIX • All creatures great and small • Nature Nuts! • Nature Scenes • Animal Closeups • All God's Creatures • Traveller's World • Bird Images • *amazing nature* • Animal Planet • Animal Addiction! *Post one, Comment one plse* • All things beautiful in Nature (no humans or man made objects) • QEMD "Finch" • Animal Lovers only! • Natural Illumination • worldwidewandering - a travel atlas • Favorite Nature Pictures • WILDLIFE OF THE WORLD • Super Shots - Post 1 - Award 2 • WowieKazowie! • CITRIT,Best of yours! / Invited shots only/comment 2 / • PRETTY NATURE PHOTOS • The Worlds Best Nature, Wildlife, And Macro Photography • The Unforgettable Pictures ~ Post 1, Comment 3 ~ NEW RULES!! • Born Free, Living Free • Nature Watching (Post 1 : Award 2) • N@tUReL0vER5 • *THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER (P1/A2) • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • NATURE ♥ unlimited ♥ (Public Group Forever) • Nature Outdoor Life<><>Post 1- Award 2 • Birds of all sorts. • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Official National Geographic Group • "World Nature & Wildlife Closeup" Post 1/C3 • Nonhuman Communications • (A) MOUNTAIN VISTA « less

Camera: Canon EOS 20D, f/10.0, 1/500 sec, 300mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 20D
Aperture:	f/10.0
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	300mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Show full info

Stats: 19,415 views / 40 comments