Two Gentoo penguins discuss the weather on the Melchior Islands. The total breeding population is estimated to be over 600,000 birds.
Penguin Conversation
Melchior Islands, Antarctica - 31 Dec 2025 See on Google Maps
We had sailed across the Drake Passage and had very good weather so we arrived on New Years Eve early in Antarctica. We were given a zodiac tour of the Melchior Islands. Very excited as this would be the first sighting of penguins. Very grey sky with light snow. I caught these two Gentoo penguins on a rocky outcropping. They seemed to be discussing the weather.
As would be the standard on the small boats I would bump the shutter speed way up to get a good focus in the very rocky boat. That meant a higher ISO depending on the light. Many pictures were at the 500 end of the 100-500 zoom. Also on high speed drive to take several pictures with every shutter press. I did not want to miss a picture.
Cal Holman Posted on 10 Oct 2026