Oops-a-daisy

Gallery: AvianPosted January 17, 2013452 views10 comments

This gentoo penguin was standing on a thin crust of snow, when it suddenly broke off. I'm happy to say that the penguin was not injured after the fall.

The image was shot on the mainland of Antarctica. Adult Gentoos reach a height of 51 to 90 cm (20–36 in), making them the third largest species of penguin after the two giant species, the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h (!)

Marsel

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM

This is being at the right place at the right time! Excellent catch - great action, tack-sharp, perfect exposure.
Love it!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on January 17, 2013 at 9:36 AM

The midair falling ice leads my eye right up to the foot that broke through. I can hear the bird thinking "Crap!" Well Captured!

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on January 17, 2013 at 10:42 AM

Too Cool,
Excellent Image,

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 17, 2013 at 10:47 AM

The timing's everything here Marsel..
Wonderful image that tells a story, and grabs the viewers attention

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Skip Layman on January 17, 2013 at 1:12 PM

Great timing. Love it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 558 Posts, 1704 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on January 17, 2013 at 6:23 PM

Amazing timing. You caught the snow in mid-fall, even before it hit the ground. His toes are just slipping through the snow crust.

One wonders, when looking at this, exactly how the penguin landed. Belly flop?? It was good to read he was not injured!

This is a very memorable image. And thanks for the interesting facts about the Gentoos. 36km/h *underwater* -- holy cow!

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy de Flon on January 17, 2013 at 7:34 PM

Wow, your timing was perfect! Great capture.

Registered on June 28, 2010, 61 Posts, 284 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 18, 2013 at 12:38 PM

I always feared this while mountaineering

. Great shot, wonderful timing ! Excellent quality . Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 18, 2013 at 8:44 PM

I like contrast between snow and darker rocks at the bottom plus how the penguin looks as he reacts to the fall. Wonderful timing to get this with the snow falling against the shadows, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on January 21, 2013 at 3:20 PM

Wow, wonderful.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments