Birdlife
Penguins
Jennifer encountered and photographed these penguins at Hovgaard Island during her Antarctic expedition.
Species overview
Penguins are flightless seabirds adapted to marine life. During her Antarctic expedition, Jennifer encountered Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins; this record does not claim that every species appears in the featured photograph.
Destinations where they may be seen
Penguins occur across parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Jennifer encountered Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins during her Antarctic expedition and photographed the featured encounter at Hovgaard Island.
Best viewing considerations
Plan around an expedition's authorized landing sites and current wildlife guidance rather than a promised colony encounter. Weather, ice, biosecurity controls, and animal activity determine access.
Where Jennifer encountered them
Jennifer encountered and photographed these penguins at Hovgaard Island during her Antarctic expedition.
Ethical viewing distance
IAATO guidance sets five meters (15 feet) as the general minimum distance from birds on land or ice. Greater distances apply when wildlife reacts, site or species rules require them, or expedition staff direct visitors to move back.
Operator or setting
Wild shoreline encounter under an expedition team's landing and wildlife procedures.
Seasonal considerations
Species, colony activity, sea ice, weather, landing access, and avian-influenza controls vary by voyage and date.
Photography guidance
Use zoom, stay on the route established by expedition staff, never interrupt a penguin's path, and do not use flash, selfie sticks, or other equipment to get closer. Jennifer's expedition also prohibited placing cameras, tripods, backpacks, or other personal items on the ground; only visitors' boots and issued hiking poles touched down.
Safety and biosecurity guidance
Follow expedition briefings, biosecurity procedures, landing instructions, and all directions from guides. IAATO's current avian-influenza guidance says not to sit, kneel, crouch, squat, lie down, or place anything on the ground. Wildlife may approach even when visitors hold position.
What is never guaranteed
No particular species, colony access, landing, behavior, or photograph is guaranteed.
Conservation context
Antarctic visitor rules are intended to keep tourism impacts minor or transitory and protect wildlife and habitat.
Captive-versus-wild disclosure
Captive-versus-wild disclosure: wild encounter.
Gallery, videos, and related reading
Gallery: The verified photograph for this encounter is shown on this page.
Videos: No related BVG video is currently linked to this record.
Related destination: Explore Antarctica
Related article: No related BVG article is currently published.