Adult pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) in breeding plumage with a capelin in its beak in Chatham Strait, Southeast Alaska, USA, Pacific Ocean.

Galapagos white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis galapagensis) feeding near giant tortoise in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) with Lindblad Expedition guests at Brown Bluff near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean

South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens) hauled out on small rocky islet just outside Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Argentina

Gentoo penguin parent (Pygoscelis papua) with chicks in 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

A well-scarred old male polar bear (Ursus maritimus) defending a fresh kill against an intruder, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen, Norway

California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf with excited whale watchers in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) adult on snow, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

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

A well-scarred old male polar bear (Ursus maritimus) defending a fresh kill against an intruder, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen, Norway

Long-beaked common dolphin pod (Delphinus capensis) encountered in the southern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Curious king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) breeding and nesting colony at St. Andrews Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean.

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

California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf with excited whale watchers in San Ignacio Lagoon on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico

A well-scarred old male polar bear (Ursus maritimus) defending a fresh kill against an intruder, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen, Norway

California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf with excited whale watchers in San Ignacio Lagoon on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup (Arctocephalus gazella) on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) taking flight in Glacier Bay National Park, Southeast Alaska, USA, Pacific Ocean.

Two young polar bears (Ursus maritimus) feeding side-by-side on a fresh bearded seal kill near Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

A curious young polar bear (Ursus maritimus) approaches the National Geographic Explorer in Woodfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

A well-scarred old male polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on a fresh bearded seal kill near Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

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.

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adult and cub swimming. Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) during snow storm at Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Curious Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) looking up at National Geographic Explorer, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

A curious young polar bear (Ursus maritimus) approaches the National Geographic Explorer in Woodfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Antarctic fur seal pup (Arctocephalus gazella) near the abandoned whaling station at Stromness Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Northern (Steller) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) close-up eating a small skate in Southeastern Alaska, USA

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

Antarctic fur seal pup (Arctocephalus gazella) near the abandoned whaling station at Stromness Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Lindblad Expeditions guests with a lone adult emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) on sea ice in the Gullet between Adelaide Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) adult on snow, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

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

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adult and cub hunting, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the AuAu Channel, Hawaii, USA. Pacific Ocean

Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) hauled out on ice floe near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean

California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf with excited whale watchers in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adult and cub swimming. Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) sub-surface feeding among black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), west of Spitsbergen, Barents Sea, Norway

Adult macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) porpoising for speed while traveling to their breeding colony on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) surface skim feeding on euphausids off Isla del Carmen, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adults and cub hunting, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) hauled out on ice floe near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern 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

A younger polar bear (Ursus maritimus) scavenging a fresh bearded seal kill, Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen, Norway

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) adult with seal kill. Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Lindblad Expeditions staff member Lisa Trotter next to a HUGE adult male leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) hauled out on the beach at Salisbury Plains in the Bay of Isles, Southern Ocean

Long-beaked common dolphin pod (Delphinus capensis) encountered in the southern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico

Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) near the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

Ad?lie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) with Lindblad guests in snowstorm at Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula in the Weddell Sea , Antarctica.

Adult female leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) stalking, then killing and eating an adult gentoo penguin in Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

A curious young polar bear (Ursus maritimus) approaches the National Geographic Explorer in Woodfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf with excited whale watchers in San Ignacio Lagoon on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) near the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

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.

Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) hauled out on ice floe near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean

An adult striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) swimming slowly at the surface in the midriff region of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Norte, Mexico

A well-scarred old male polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on a fresh bearded seal kill near Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) adult and cub swimming. Monacobreen Glacier, Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Flying Fish Species (scientific name unknown) rare unusual image, in mid-air. South Atlantic Ocean. MORE INFO: Note the trail on the surface of the water made by its tail.

Red Sea Anemonefish (Amphiprion Bicinctus) Under water , diving, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, Africa.

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.

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

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.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

Leucistic Antarctic Fur Seal pup, Arctocephalus gazella, amongst normally coloured animals, South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean. Leucism is a general term for the phenotype resulting from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair or feathers . This results in either the entire surface or patches of the body surface having a lack of cells capable of making pigment.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge-feeding on Krill. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: Baleen Plates are visible on the top jaw & Krill can be seen escaping from the whales mouth.

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.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

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.

Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), Chukotskiy Peninsular, Cape Dezhnev, Russia, Asia

Wild Adult Female, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), new pup, fresh born. Slaty Back Gull picking at placenta and discharge from 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.

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

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge-feeding on Krill. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: Baleen Plates are visible on the top jaw & Krill can be seen escaping from the animals mouth.

Indian Ocean Crocodilefish (Papilloculiceps Longiceps) Under water , diving, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, Africa.

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

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge-feeding on Krill. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: Baleen Plates are visible on the top jaw & Krill can be seen escaping from the animals mouth.

Antarctic Fur Seal pup, Arctocephalus gazella, yawning, South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge-feeding on Krill. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: Baleen Plates are visible on the top jaw & Krill can be seen escaping from the animals mouth.

Humpback whale (megaptera novaeangliae) Two humpbacks breach in a big swell. Gulf of California.

Gray whale (eschrichtius robustus) A gray whal efeeding. Pacific coast Mexico.

Bull Southern Elephant Seal, Mirounga leonina, South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean.

Risso's dolphins. (Grampus griseus) A Risso's dolphin with reflection. Azores.

Central American Spinner Dolphin, Stenella longirostris centroamericana, spinning with small Remora attached, Costa Rica, Pacific Ocean.

Common Lionfish (Pterois miles) Under water , diving, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, Africa.