Chinstrap Penguins on Drake Passage Crossing to Antarctica

Late this afternoon, half way across the Drake Passage, which has been a breeze both times now, we came upon a beautiful blue iceberg much further north of Antarctica than most are typically found. A bonus was a small group of Chinstrap Penguins that were taking refuge from what most likely will be a long swim back to the Antarctic continent. One of our new friends, Roger Hewitt, a longtime Antarctic scientist, suggested these chinstraps were most likely non-breeders – young birds out on a lengthy swim and resting on their way back to the mainland. We had beautiful photographic opportunities. The image below was shot with a Nikon D600, 80-400mm lens, handheld.

Chinstrap Penguins take a break on a floating iceberg in the middle of the Drake Passage. Nikon D600, 80-400mm lens.