This largest and most sought after of the Penguin species is usually very difficult to see for most birders because they only breed in the austral winter which makes visiting them a dicey proposition. Most boat tours of Antarctica understandably only visit in the austral summer. Emperor Penguins disperse in the austral summer and the only way to find them is to have a chance encounter either on the sea or if you are even more lucky on an ice berg. When Matt and I took our trip to Antarctica, we did not expect to get this bird. What is even more remarkable is that Matt, Steve B and I happened to be standing at the front of the boat when this bird appeared on the surface of the water. I think we were the only ones on the boat that got to see it. Not seeing the Snow Petrel hurt pretty bad but this beauty softened the blow.
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