HEARTWARMING PHOTOS CAPTURE PENGUINS' DAILY JOURNEY ACROSS ANTARCTIC ICE
WITH PIX AND VID
BY SHUK YEE TSANG
An award-winning marine photographer has captured a heartwarming collection of penguin moments in Antarctica, from fluffy chicks learning to swim to adults waddling across the ice on their journey to the ocean in search of food.
Jodi Frediani, 78, a marine photographer and whale researcher from Santa Cruz, California, photographed the charming scenes along the Antarctic Peninsula while documenting the lives of gentoo and chinstrap penguins in their frozen habitat.
The collection shows penguins carefully crossing icy terrain to reach the sea, chicks splashing in shallow pools as they practise swimming, parents feeding hungry youngsters, and large groups gathering before heading into the ocean together.
Jodi, who has been photographing whales and marine wildlife for more than 25 years, said watching the penguins reminded her of everyday family life, despite the harsh Antarctic conditions.
She said: "Penguins feed on fish and krill and need to get out to the open waters of the oceans to get their next meal.
"Sometimes there is ice along the shore which they must navigate to get to sea and get back to shore again.
"They can be a little clumsy on land and ice, but are very well adapted to swimming in icy cold waters.
"One clip shows a penguin youngster practising swimming in a shallow pool by the shore.
"There is something so familiar about it, like watching a young child splashing about in a paddling pool, trying to mimic the grown-ups.
"The little ones always seem to be hungry. They look so funny running after mum or dad, and I feel for the parents, who look like they could use a break.
"Yet when the parents do feed their chicks it is such a tender moment. It fills me with joy."
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