South Georgia Island Photos

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Wandering albatross in flight, over the open sea.  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 in flight, over the open sea. 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: Southern Ocean
Image ID: 24071  
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: 24581  
Mountains, glaciers and ocean, the rugged and beautiful topography of South Georgia Island, Grytviken
Mountains, glaciers and ocean, the rugged and beautiful topography of South Georgia Island.
Location: Grytviken, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24580  
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: 24317  
Sunset clouds create a colorful arch, spanning the heavens from horizon to horizon, over the open sea between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island
Sunset clouds create a colorful arch, spanning the heavens from horizon to horizon, over the open sea between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island.
Location: Southern Ocean
Image ID: 24073  
Hiker looks down on Stromness Harbour from the pass high above
Hiker looks down on Stromness Harbour from the pass high above.
Location: Stromness Harbour, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24582  
Salisbury Plain on South Georgia Island is home to an immense rookery of King Penguins.  It is a spectacular wildlife location, unequaled in all the world
Salisbury Plain on South Georgia Island is home to an immense rookery of King Penguins. It is a spectacular wildlife location, unequaled in all the world.
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24682  
Panorama dimensions: 1886 x 21281
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: 24388  
Adult male Antarctic fur seal (bull), chasing down a female in his harem to confirm his dominance, during mating season, Arctocephalus gazella, Right Whale Bay
Adult male Antarctic fur seal (bull), chasing down a female in his harem to confirm his dominance, during mating season.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24334  
King penguin colony and the Bay of Isles on the northern coast of South Georgia Island.  Over 100,000 nesting pairs of king penguins reside here.  Dark patches in the colony are groups of juveniles with fluffy brown plumage.  The icebreaker M/V Polar Star lies at anchor, Aptenodytes patagonicus, Salisbury Plain
King penguin colony and the Bay of Isles on the northern coast of South Georgia Island. Over 100,000 nesting pairs of king penguins reside here. Dark patches in the colony are groups of juveniles with fluffy brown plumage. The icebreaker M/V Polar Star lies at anchor.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24383  
King penguins gather in a steam to molt, below a waterfall on a cobblestone beach at Hercules Bay, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguins gather in a steam to molt, below a waterfall on a cobblestone beach at Hercules Bay.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24384  
Fortuna Bay, with icebreaker M/V Polar Star at anchor
Fortuna Bay, with icebreaker M/V Polar Star at anchor.
Location: Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24593  
Northern giant portrait, profile, head detail.  The distinctive tube nose (naricorn), characteristic of species in the Procellariidae family (tube-snouts), is easily seen, Macronectes halli, Right Whale Bay
Northern giant portrait, profile, head detail. The distinctive tube nose (naricorn), characteristic of species in the Procellariidae family (tube-snouts), is easily seen.
Species: Northern giant petrel, Macronectes halli
Location: Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 23679  
M/V Polar Star, an icebreaker expedition ship, lies at anchor in Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island.  Antarctic fur seals on the beach, and the rugged South Georgia Island mountains in the distance.  Sunset, dusk, Arctocephalus gazella
M/V Polar Star, an icebreaker expedition ship, lies at anchor in Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island. Antarctic fur seals on the beach, and the rugged South Georgia Island mountains in the distance. Sunset, dusk.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Right Whale Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24318  
Wandering albatross, on nest and 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 and 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: 24385  
King penguin preening. Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island, Aptenodytes patagonicus
King penguin preening. Salisbury Plain, Bay of Isles, South Georgia Island.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24387  
Macaroni penguins, 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 penguins, 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: 24390  
Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella, Hercules Bay
Antarctic fur seal.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Hercules Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24392  
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: 24393  
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: 24405  
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: 24406  
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: 24431  
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: 24456  
King penguin, solitary, standing, Aptenodytes patagonicus, Fortuna Bay
King penguin, solitary, standing.
Species: King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Location: Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24602  
Drygalski Fjord, packed with brash ice which has broken away from Risting Glacier at the end of the narrow fjord
Drygalski Fjord, packed with brash ice which has broken away from Risting Glacier at the end of the narrow fjord.
Location: Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24687  
M/V Polar Star approaches Jenkins Glacier (left), Risting Glacier (center) and a third glacier (right) at the end of Drygalski Fjord
M/V Polar Star approaches Jenkins Glacier (left), Risting Glacier (center) and a third glacier (right) at the end of Drygalski Fjord.
Location: Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24688  
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: 24386  
Antarctic fur seal, on grass slopes high above Fortuna Bay, Arctocephalus gazella
Antarctic fur seal, on grass slopes high above Fortuna Bay.
Species: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella
Location: Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24583  
Gentoo penguins, calling, heads raised, Pygoscelis papua, Godthul
Gentoo penguins, calling, heads raised.
Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Location: Godthul, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24690  
Gentoo penguin walking through tall grass, Pygoscelis papua, Godthul
Gentoo penguin walking through tall grass.
Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Location: Godthul, South Georgia Island
Image ID: 24701  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.