South Georgia Island photos

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Gentoo penguins, permanent nesting colony in grassy hills about a mile inland from the ocean, near Stromness Bay, South Georgia Island, Pygoscelis papua, Stromness Harbour
Gentoo penguins, permanent nesting colony in grassy hills about a mile inland from the ocean, near Stromness Bay, South Georgia Island.
Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Location: Stromness Harbour, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24586  
View of Godthul, from the grassy slopes of South Georgia.  The name Godthul, or "Good Hollow", dates back to Norwegian whalers who used this bay as a anchorage
View of Godthul, from the grassy slopes of South Georgia. The name Godthul, or "Good Hollow", dates back to Norwegian whalers who used this bay as a anchorage.
Location: Godthul, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24689  
Gentoo penguins nesting beside a lake, snow-covered South Georgia mountains in the background, Pygoscelis papua, Godthul
Gentoo penguins nesting beside a lake, snow-covered South Georgia mountains in the background.
Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Location: Godthul, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24691  
King penguins and whale bones, on the cobblestone beach at Godthul, South Georgia Island.  The whale bones are evidence of South Georgia's long and prolific history of whaling, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguins and whale bones, on the cobblestone beach at Godthul, South Georgia Island. The whale bones are evidence of South Georgia's long and prolific history of whaling.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Godthul, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24692  
King penguin colony, Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island.  Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest on South Georgia Island each summer, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony, Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest on South Georgia Island each summer.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24316  
South Georgia Island coastline, showing the island's characteristic rugged topography.  56% of the island is covered by 161 glaciers, which have created numerous large bays and inlets that provide excellent habitat for marine animals and seabirds. Mountains meet the sea in steep-sided seacliffs covered with sparse vegetation.  The highest point on South Georgia Island is Mt. Paget at 2,915m
South Georgia Island coastline, showing the island's characteristic rugged topography. 56% of the island is covered by 161 glaciers, which have created numerous large bays and inlets that provide excellent habitat for marine animals and seabirds. Mountains meet the sea in steep-sided seacliffs covered with sparse vegetation. The highest point on South Georgia Island is Mt. Paget at 2,915m.
Location: South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24321  
Antarctic fur seals, adult male bull and female, illustrating extreme sexual dimorphism common among pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and fur seals), Arctocephalus gazella, Right Whale Bay
Antarctic fur seals, adult male bull and female, illustrating extreme sexual dimorphism common among pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and fur seals).
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24324  
Wandering albatross, on nest in the Prion Island colony.  The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the wingspan between, up to 12' from wingtip to wingtip. It can soar on the open ocean for hours at a time, riding the updrafts from individual swells, with a glide ratio of 22 units of distance for every unit of drop. The wandering albatross can live up to 23 years. They hunt at night on the open ocean for cephalopods, small fish, and crustaceans. The survival of the species is at risk due to mortality from long-line fishing gear, Diomedea exulans
Wandering albatross, on nest in the Prion Island colony. The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the wingspan between, up to 12' from wingtip to wingtip. It can soar on the open ocean for hours at a time, riding the updrafts from individual swells, with a glide ratio of 22 units of distance for every unit of drop. The wandering albatross can live up to 23 years. They hunt at night on the open ocean for cephalopods, small fish, and crustaceans. The survival of the species is at risk due to mortality from long-line fishing gear.
Species: Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
Location: Prion Island, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24394  
Icebreaker M/V Polar Star anchored in the Bay of Isles,offshore of the vast king penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Icebreaker M/V Polar Star anchored in the Bay of Isles,offshore of the vast king penguin colony at Salisbury Plain.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24397  
King penguin at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24398  
King penguin, mated pair courting, displaying courtship behavior including mutual preening, Aptenodytes patagonicus, Salisbury Plain
King penguin, mated pair courting, displaying courtship behavior including mutual preening.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24399  
King penguin, mated pair courting, displaying courtship behavior, Aptenodytes patagonicus, Salisbury Plain
King penguin, mated pair courting, displaying courtship behavior.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24400  
King penguin colony, over 100,000 nesting pairs, viewed from above.  The brown patches are groups of 'oakum boys', juveniles in distinctive brown plumage.  Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony, over 100,000 nesting pairs, viewed from above. The brown patches are groups of 'oakum boys', juveniles in distinctive brown plumage. Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24404  
King penguin colony. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest at Salisbury Plain, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest at Salisbury Plain, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24407  
Oakum boys, juvenile king penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island.  Named 'oakum boys' by sailors for the resemblance of their brown fluffy plumage to the color of oakum used to caulk timbers on sailing ships, these year-old penguins will soon shed their fluffy brown plumage and adopt the colors of an adult, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Oakum boys, juvenile king penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island. Named 'oakum boys' by sailors for the resemblance of their brown fluffy plumage to the color of oakum used to caulk timbers on sailing ships, these year-old penguins will soon shed their fluffy brown plumage and adopt the colors of an adult.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24408  
King penguin colony. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest at Salisbury Plain, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest at Salisbury Plain, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24409  
King penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.  Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest here, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest here, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24410  
King penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.  Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest here, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island. Over 100,000 pairs of king penguins nest here, laying eggs in December and February, then alternating roles between foraging for food and caring for the egg or chick.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24411  
Southern elephant seal, juvenile.  The southern elephant seal is the largest pinniped, and the largest member of order Carnivora, ever to have existed.  It gets its name from the large proboscis (nose) it has when it has grown to adulthood, Mirounga leonina, Hercules Bay
Southern elephant seal, juvenile. The southern elephant seal is the largest pinniped, and the largest member of order Carnivora, ever to have existed. It gets its name from the large proboscis (nose) it has when it has grown to adulthood.
Species: Southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24420  
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island.  One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head.  They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high.  Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island. One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head. They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high. Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods.
Species: Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24421  
Antarctic fur seal, adult male (bull), Arctocephalus gazella, Hercules Bay
Antarctic fur seal, adult male (bull).
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24422  
Sea gulls on rocks with mountains in the distance, Hercules Bay
Sea gulls on rocks with mountains in the distance.
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24423  
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island.  One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head.  They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high.  Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island. One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head. They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high. Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods.
Species: Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24424  
Antarctic fur seal, adult male (bull), Arctocephalus gazella, Hercules Bay
Antarctic fur seal, adult male (bull).
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24425  
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island.  One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head.  They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high.  Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Macaroni penguin, on the rocky shoreline of Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island. One of the crested penguin species, the macaroni penguin bears a distinctive yellow crest on its head. They grow to be about 12 lb and 28" high. Macaroni penguins eat primarily krill and other crustaceans, small fishes and cephalopods.
Species: Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24426  
Antarctic fur seal, snowing, on rocky shoreline, Arctocephalus gazella, Hercules Bay
Antarctic fur seal, snowing, on rocky shoreline.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24427  
King penguin colony, over 100,000 nesting pairs, viewed from above.  The brown patches are groups of 'oakum boys', juveniles in distinctive brown plumage.  Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin colony, over 100,000 nesting pairs, viewed from above. The brown patches are groups of 'oakum boys', juveniles in distinctive brown plumage. Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24447  
Oakum boys, juvenile king penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island.  Named 'oakum boys' by sailors for the resemblance of their brown fluffy plumage to the color of oakum used to caulk timbers on sailing ships, these year-old penguins will soon shed their fluffy brown plumage and adopt the colors of an adult, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Oakum boys, juvenile king penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island. Named 'oakum boys' by sailors for the resemblance of their brown fluffy plumage to the color of oakum used to caulk timbers on sailing ships, these year-old penguins will soon shed their fluffy brown plumage and adopt the colors of an adult.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24455  
Antarctic fur seal, young pup, juvenile, Arctocephalus gazella, Fortuna Bay
Antarctic fur seal, young pup, juvenile.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24597  
King penguin, showing ornate and distinctive neck, breast and head plumage and orange beak, Aptenodytes patagonicus, Fortuna Bay
King penguin, showing ornate and distinctive neck, breast and head plumage and orange beak.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24599  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.