Amazing emperor penguins

Amazing emperor penguins

Credit: International Polar Foundation

A recent visit to a remote emperor penguin colony on East Antarctica's Princess Ragnhild Coast found 15,000 penguins living in four groups, including thousands of cute, fuzzy chicks. The expedition leaders watched penguin parents deliver regurgitated meals to their demanding young, as the entire group slowly waddled toward the open sea 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

Penguin parade

Penguin parade

Credit: International Polar Foundation

A parade of penguins heads for the sea, to hunt for fish, squid and other marine creatures.

Sea of chicks

Sea of chicks

Credit: International Polar Foundation

Further inland, thousands of chicks wait for their parents to return with a warm meal.

Two sleepy chicks

Two sleepy chicks

Credit: International Polar Foundation

Fuzzy baby penguins take a nap on the Antarctic ice.

Ice cliff

Ice cliff

Credit: International Polar Foundation

A tall ice cliff shelters the penguin colony from Antarctica's fierce winds.

Feeding time

Feeding time

Credit: International Polar Foundation

Penguin parents regurgitate meals for their chicks. The chicks are raised far inland from the edge of the ice, where snapping seals might make a meal of penguin young.

Feed me!

Feed me!

Credit: International Polar Foundation

A baby penguin asks for more food.

Adorable Adélies

Adorable Adélies

Credit: International Polar Foundation

Adélie penguins are smaller and shorter than emperor penguins.

Emperor closeup

Emperor closeup

Credit: International Polar Foundation

The regal visage of an Emperor penguin glistens under the summer Antarctic sun.

Lunch launch

Lunch launch

Credit: International Polar Foundation

Emperor penguins launch themselves onto the ice after a hunt.

Who are you?

Who are you?

Credit: International Polar Foundation

An inquisitive emperor penguin checks out visitors from Belgium's Princess Elisabeth polar research station.