Adult king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) returning to sea from the nesting colony at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Polar Regions

Antarctic shag (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis) in breeding plumage, Barrientos Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), breeding colony at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Sound, Antarctica, Polar Regions

A group of adult Antarctic shags (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis), at breeding site on Booth Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), breeding colony at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Sound, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua), at breeding colony during a snowstorm, Brown Bluff, Antarctic Sound, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), at breeding colony during a snowstorm, Brown Bluff, Antarctic Sound, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Guano in an Adelie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, colony at Madder Cliffs, Suspiros Bay, at the west end of Joinville Island, Antarctica. Adelie's are a true Antarctic species which are suffering as a result of climate change, The Antarctic Peninsular, their only breeding grounds, is one of the fastest warming areas on the planet. This is causing Adelies to migrate south. They are reducing in numbers, they feed almost exclusively on Krill, which is also declining as a result of climate change.

A Light Mantled Albatross, or Light Mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata, on South Georgia, on nesting cliffs at Grytviken.

A Wandering Albatross; Diomedea exulans, the bird with the largest wing span on the planet, at around 11 feet 6 inches, nesting on Prion Island, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A Wandering Albatross; Diomedea exulans, the bird with the largest wing span on the planet, at around 11 feet 6 inches, nesting on Prion Island, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A Wandering Albatross; Diomedea exulans, the bird with the largest wing span on the planet, at around 11 feet 6 inches, nesting on Prion Island, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

King Penguins in the world's second largest King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

King Penguins on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, with passengers from an expedition cruise.

A Light Mantled Albatross, or Light Mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata, on South Georgia, on nesting cliffs at Grytviken.

Antarctic Fur Seal pups at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

King Penguins on Prion Island, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A Light Mantled Albatross, or Light Mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata, on South Georgia, on nesting cliffs at Grytviken.

A Bull Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean, showing a threat display.

King Penguins in the world's second largest King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

Antarctic Fur Seal pups at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A female Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean, with a zodiak full of passengers from an expedition cruise.

A King Penguin sleeping in the world's second largest King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A Light Mantled Albatross, or Light Mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata, on South Georgia, on nesting cliffs at Grytviken, calling to its mate.

King Penguins head out to sea on a fishing trip past ice at Gold Harbour, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

King Penguins at Gold Harbour, South Georgia, with passengers from an expedition cruise.

King Penguins at Gold Harbour, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

King Penguins in the world's second largest King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A female Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

Antarctic Fur Seal pups at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

A female Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) on Prion Island, South Georgia, Southern Ocean, and a wildlife photographer.

King Penguins at Gold Harbour, South Georgia, with passengers from an expedition cruise.

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) returning to nest with kelp on breeding colony on Petermann Island on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) chick head detail at colony on Useful Island near the Antarctic Peninsula. There are an estimated 2 million breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic peninsula region alone, perhaps as many as 7.5 million breeding pairs in all of Antarctica. Their name derives from the narrow black band under their heads which makes it appear as if they are wearing black helmets, making them one of the most easily identified types of penguin. Other names for them are "Ringed Penguins", "Bearded Penguins", and "Stonecracker Penguins" due to their harsh call. They grow to 68 cm (27 in). The average adult weight of a Chinstrap Penguin is 4.5 kg (10 lbs). Weight can range from 3 to 6 kg (6.6-13.2 lbs), with males being slightly larger and weight varying based on where the penguin is in the breeding cycle. Their diet consists of krill, shrimp, and fish. On land they build circular nests from stones, and lay two eggs, which are incubated by both the male and the female for shifts of five to ten days. They can also breed on icebergs, though they prefer non-icy conditions. The chicks hatch after about 35 days, and have fluffy gray backs and white fronts. The chicks stay in the nest for 20?30 days before they go to join a creche. At around 50?60 days old, they moult, gaining their adult plumage and go to sea. The Chinstrap Penguin was first described by German naturalist Forster in 1781. Its specific epithet was often seen as antarctica, however a 2002 review determined the genus Pygoscelis was masculine, and hence the correct binomial name is Pygoscelis antarcticus.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Two adult Humpback whales courting, Vava'u Tonga in the South Pacific

Humpback male and female adults courting above the shallow reef, Vava'u Tonga, South Pacific

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Zoom blur of king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Juvenile King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) in colony on South Georgia Island, southern Atlantic Ocean.

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) breeding and molting at Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Imperial Shags (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) atriceps) at breeding colony on small islets off the city of Ushuaia, Argentina, South Atlantic Ocean

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Chinstrap penguin pair (Pygoscelis antarctica) mating at a breeding colony on Barrentos Island in the Aitcho Island Group in the South Shetland Islands near the Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) on breeding colony on Petermann Island on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) hauled out on ice near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) among breeding and nesting colonies of both gentoo and chinstrap penguins on Barrentos Island in the Aitcho Island Group, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.

Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) on breeding colony on Petermann Island on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) parent and chick at breeding colony on Useful Island near the Antarctic Peninsula

Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding colony on Paulet Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Guano-covered chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) chick at breeding colony on Useful Island near the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Zoom blur of king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony in a snowstorm on Half Moon Island near Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. There are an estimated 2 million plus breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic peninsula region alone, perhaps as many as 7.5 million breeding pairs in all of Antarctica.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult Antarctic Shag, (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) from breeding colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) bransfieldensis) in flight on breeding colony on Petermann Island on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colonies on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.