Penguin Science - NSF funded Research

Penguin Science is a website and free DVD (except for shipping) that contains some tremendous HD footage of scientists led by Dr. David Ainley studying Adelie Penguins in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.  Sponsored by the US National Science Foundation this work was also featured on Wild Kingdom as  "Return to Penguin City" in March 08.  No doubt it will be back on the TV soon

"Like animals everywhere, Antarctic penguins are adjusting, or not, to changes in their habitat brought by warming temperatures. With extensive field research on their existing colonies, and a 30,000 year-old record contained in deposits of their bones, we know more about how Antarctic penguins will adjust to rapid climate change than almost any other creature on Earth."

Endangered Penguins -

The 6th World Penguin Conference was held in Hobart, Tasmania back in September 2007. These gatherings are only held every 4 years so the pronouncements from this assembly of 170 the world's penguin scientists from 13 countries are still very current.  Of the 17 recognized species of penguins 12 are on the current World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red list of threatened species.

The solitary yellow-eyed penguin found in New Zealand and its off shore islands to the south is one of the most endangered mostly due to loss of its forrest scrubland breeding habitat and predation. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is working hard to restore coast forest and control predators.

Galapagos penguins, and erect-crested penguins, are also classified as endangered while African penguins, and Fiordland crested penguins are considered vulnerable. Many of  the species that are not directly threatened by loss of habitat or food supply are affect by global warming and this particularly applies to the Antarctic species the Adelie, chinstrap and emperor penguins. 

 The Adelie is the most studied penguin as it is a so called indicator species. It's breeding success or other wise can shed light on the state food supply namely the krill which are very much more difficult to monitor.  As such this species is often referred to as the "canary in the coal-mine" of Antarctica.  Radar tracking of their foraging pattens using time depth sensor that can also be interrogated when they return to the nest reveals how much effort was expended in each fishing expedition, where they went and how deep they dived.

Flipping Brilliant is now on sale

Flipping Brilliant is the first of a series of gift books planned to show off penguins in new and interesting ways. As well as an opportunity to explore my archive of thousands of penguin images, it also a showcase for the writing talents of humorist, Patrick Regan.  I have made penguins the focus of many books over the years including the: Nature of Penguins and my best selling A for Antarctica, plus the children's board book Busy Penguins.  My penguin posters Penguins of the World and Penguins of Antarctica are also still in print. But reaching a broad audience is always challenge for writers and nature photographers.  At last I have been able to find the right collaborator for a work that shares life lessons that we can deduce from the ways of the ever endearing penguins.  

My First Penguin

My passion for penguins has evolved over four decades. Growing up in South Australia I was exposed to what we then called, fairy penguins,  but they were hard to see as they were restricted to a few off shore islands and they are also nocturnal. During the day they hide away in rock crevices to escape predators.  I have a few shots from those very early days ... long before I was interested in photography.

There is one very famous place in the world to see wild Little Penguins   (Eudyptula minor) as they are more properly now called.  The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island in Victoria, Southern Australia is experienced by thousands of visitors every evening. also have one of the world's best visitor centers and a penguin research and education program.  While Little Penguins come ashore year round at this location the numbers can vary depending on the month as it relates to their breeding cycle. 

  

Flying Penguins !!

It a little known fact that penguins literally "fly"  under water using there flippers to propel themselves. (Most other diving birds use their feet as paddles).  April 1 there was a stunning video from the BBC about penguins flying in air.