Adult light-mantled sooty albatrosses (Phoebetria palpebrata) on the wing in Elsehul on South Georgia, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Adult imperial shag (Phalacrocorax (atriceps) atriceps) in flight in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean, South America

King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colony on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Adult king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) in the act of feeding chick on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) at sunrise on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Bull southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean

Adult Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii), surfacing in Stanley Harbor in the Falkland Islands, South America

Adult Commerson's dolphin pair (Cephalorhynchus commersonii), surfacing in Stanley Harbor in the Falkland Islands, South America

Adult Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii), surfacing in Stanley Harbor in the Falkland Islands, South America

Land iguana camouflaged among cactus plants, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Marine iguana on the rocks, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Marine iguanas on the beach, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Land iguana camouflaged among cactus plants and feeding on leaf, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Land iguana , Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Land iguana , Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Marine iguana on the rocks, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Land iguana camouflaged among cactus plants, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Marine iguanas on the beach, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Southern royal albatross (diomedea epomophora) sitting on nest, campbell island, zealand

Wandering albatross (diomedea exulans) prion island, south georgia, adult feeding chick

Wandering albatross. Diomedea exulans. On nest, albatross island, south georgia diomedea exulans

Black-browed albatross (diomedea melanophoris) falkland islands, sat on nest, showing egg and colony behind

Light-manted sooty albatross (diomedea palpebrata) gold harbour, south georgia, in flight.

Wandering albatross (diomedea exulans) prion island, south georgia, chick sat on nest, close-up

Wandering albatross (diomedea exulans) prion island, south georgia, chick exercising wings

Wandering albatross (diomedea exulans) prion island, south georgia, chick sat on nest

Black-browed albatross (diomedea melanophris) falkland islands, pair in courtship display.

Black-browed albatross (diomedea melanophris) new island, falkland islands.

Black-browed albatross (diomedea melanophoris) falkland islands, sat on nest. view of colony behind.

Island hogfish (Bodianus insularis), St. Peter and St. Paul's rocks, Brazil, South America

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) adult courtship dance in the Falkland Islands.

Adult oceanic sunfish (Mola mola) underwater off the west side of Isabela Island in the deep waters surrounding the Galapagos Island Archipeligo, Ecuador. Pacific Ocean.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Curious adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) approaches Zodiac near Booth Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Adult humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching near the Five Fingers Island Group in Southeast Alaska, USA. Pacific Ocean.

Underwater scenes from the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Adult yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) on the wing in the oceanic waters surrounding the Tristan da Cunha Island Group in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Adult Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) near nesting site on South Marble Island in Glacier Bay National Park, Southeast Alaska, USA. Pacific Ocean.

Guests from the Lindblad Expedition ship National Geographic Explorer lay in the relatively warm waters of the caldera at Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Snow covering the ash and mud slides at Whalers Bay inside of the caldera at Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Adult black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) wading and feeding in a brackish water lagoon at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, Pacific Ocean.

Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) breeding colony on Steeple Jason Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Russian reefer ship Petrozavodsk literally ran into the Fuglefjellet cliffs (411m) on Bear Island, Svalbard, Norway

Orca breaching. San Juan Islands, Washington. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Aerial view of the Alaskan purse-seiner fishery for wild salmon off Point Augustus, Chichagof Island, Southeast Alaska, USA. Note how full the net is of wild salmon as the net is retrieved onboard.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) with snorkeler on the Little Bahama Banks, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. (Resolution Restricted - pls contact us)

Lindblad Expeditions guests on board the National Geographic Explorer with a lone adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice, Antarctica

The endemic giant barrel cactus (Ferocactus diguetii) on Isla Santa Catalina in the lower Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California, Mexico

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis)calf near trimaran on the Little Bahama Banks off Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Two young Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) at play underwater on the Little Bahama Banks, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. Atlantic Ocean. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Zodiacs cruising through the sea caves of Fugloy in the Faroe Islands

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) mating ritual in the Falkland Islands.

Curious adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) approaches Zodiac near Booth Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

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

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) calves underwater on the Little Bahama Banks, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. (Resolution Restricted - pls contact us)

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) pair underwater on the Little Bahama Banks, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. (Resolution Restricted - pls contact us)

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Views of the volcanic island Surtsey (Icelandic, meaning "Surtur's island"), the southernmost point of Iceland

Young Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) at play underwater in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Aerial view of the Alaskan purse-seiner fishery for wild salmon off Point Augustus, Chichagof Island, Southeast Alaska, USA.

Adult oceanic sunfish (Mola mola) underwater off the west side of Isabela Island in the deep waters surrounding the Galapagos Island Archipeligo, Ecuador. Pacific Ocean.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin pair(Stenella frontalis) underwater on the Little Bahama Banks, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. (Resolution Restricted - pls contact us)

Purse-seiners operating in Red Bluff Bay, Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska. These vessels are fishing for salmon. No property or model release.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

View of the volcanic shoreline on Tristan da Cunha, "the most remote inhabited location on Earth", South Atlantic Ocean

Young Galapagos sea lion bulls (Zalophus wollebaeki) mock-fighting in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Adult green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii) underwater with snorkeler in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

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 penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) at sunrise on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.

Orca (calf) breaching off San Juan Island. San Juan Islands, Washington. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Russian reefer ship Petrozavodsk literally ran into the Fuglefjellet cliffs (411m) on Bear Island, Svalbard, Norway

Wild Adult Females Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), endangered, colony, rookery, haul out, raft, above water. Bering Islands (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: This sea lion in the largest member of the eared seals.

Abandoned Soviet Submarine base 1978 - 1991, ruined settlement, Brouton Bay (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Wild Large Male Northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ), Solo, In water, Endangered, part of massive colony. Srednego Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Wild Large Male Northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ), Solo, In water, Endangered, part of massive colony. Srednego Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Abandoned Soviet Submarine base 1978 - 1991, ruined settlement, Brouton Bay (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Wild Adult Male and Female, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), endangered, colony, rookery, haul out, raft, above water.Bering Islands (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: This sea lion in the largest member of the eared seals.

Tourist Female hiker walking, exploration on Bering Islands (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia

Whalebone Alley, female tourist standing between bow head whale rib bones, Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Bantham Beach. Devon. UK

Bottlenose dolphin(tursiops truncatus) A bottlenose dolphin surfaces in a silky sea. Canary Islands

Slapton Ley with Torcross on the forshore. Devon. UK

Wild female Northern Fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Endangered, rookery, haul out, Colony, Tyuleniy Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Abandoned Soviet Submarine base 1978 - 1991, ruined settlement, Brouton Bay (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Abandoned Soviet Submarine base 1978 - 1991, ruined settlement, Brouton Bay (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Whalebone Alley, female tourist standing around still intact extremly old inuit elder grave, skeleton still present. Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Whalebone Alley, female tourist sitting on bowhead whale bone, Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Whalebone Alley grand vista, female tourist standing on cliff face, Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Whalebone Alley, Bowhead whale bones, Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Whalebone Alley, Bowhead whale bone, Itygran Island (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: Whale Bone Alley was discovered by Soviet archaeologists in 1976, but has remained untouched since and little is known of this place. There is a long double line of bowhead whale bones -- jaws and ribs -- running parallel along the shore for hundreds of yards. Many of the bones, especially the enormous jaw bones, are still standing, propped up by lichen-covered rocks. The location is thought to have been used in about 1300 as a ceremonial site, for a men's secret society or feasting site.

Wild Adult Female, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), new pup, fresh born, endangered, colony, rookery, haul out, raft, above water.Bering Islands (Bering Sea) Russia, Asia. MORE INFO: This sea lion in the largest member of the eared seals.

Coral reef and limestone islands. Misool, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Coral reef of soft leather corals (Sarcophyton sp.) and limestone islands. Misool, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean. More info: This region has the highest marine biological diversity in the world.