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Macaroni Penguin


Macaroni Penguin
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Blue Things, Penguins in the Wild [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-09 9:01
Viewed: 5143
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have moved to South Georgia today to post a shot of a species of penguin I have not posted before - the Macaroni.

Macaroni penguins are similar to the Royal penguins. They both have the yellow and black plumes joining on the top of the head. The difference is that the Macaroni has solid black feathers on the cheeks and under the chin on the throat, while the Royal penguins have white chins. There are large breeding colonies of Macaroni penguins on the sub-Antarctic Islands of South Georgia, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard & McDonald Islands. Colonies are also located on the small islands off the southern tips of South America and Africa.

There are an estimated total population of 12 million breeding pairs of Macaroni penguins. They stand about 28 inches (71 cm) tall and weigh 11 to 13 lbs. (5 to 6 kg). This penguin was named by the early English explorers. In the mid 18th century, a young man who wore flashy feathers in his hat was called a "Macaroni". This is also the origin for the words to "Yankee Doodle" sung during the Revolutionary War to poke fun at the poorly dressed Continental Army. The English explorers thought the yellow feathers of this penguin was like a fancy young man called a "macaroni".

Macaroni penguins build a crude nest by scraping a shallow hole in mud or gravel among rocks. The first egg laid is smaller and less likely to hatch. It is often lost to predators and fighting that occurs in the large breeding colonies. The second egg is larger and more likely to hatch. The incubation, keeping the egg warm, is done by both male and female in long shifts. The egg usually hatches within 33 to 37 days.

The male cares for the newly hatched chick for 23 to 25 days while the female brings food daily. At this time chicks have a down covering and they form groups with other chicks called "cr裨es" for warmth and protection. The parents will feel them every 1 to 2 days until they have their adult feathers and are ready to go on their own. This takes place in about 60 to 70 days. Macaroni penguins eat mostly krill with small amounts of squid.

Scanned slide.
rousettus, gerbilratz, jaycee, uleko, PaulH, pekkavalo1, Dis. Ac., Royaldevon, eqshannon, degani, maurydv, albert, haraprasan, goldyrs, CeltickRanger, Argus has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: South GeorgiaJamesp 1 05-11 00:59
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello James
I think this is relatively rare penguin, at least on TN. Your slide presented nicely and it show the species very well. goog information. thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

Hi James, seriously good looking penguin, the colours are amazing, excellent composition. Your notes are also informative and first class... good work here and a fine upload. regards h

Hello James
What a curious penguin this is..You show him from a really low pov at a short range as well from your lense choice...An excellent capture and again another a superb note for those that take the time to read its informative content.
All the Best
Paul

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-05-09 11:36]

Hi James,
I don't think much of his cammouflage ;o) A great shot, unusual setting to see a Penguin hidden in so much long grass. Very good DOF and detail, good notes too.
Paul

Excellent shot, James.Sorry gotta run, short of time.
Goldy

Hi James,

I was first puzzled about the UK and penguin not being in zoo, but it appears to be South Georgia which part of the UK but usually access to army or navy only. Very nice capture of this penguin in its natural environment with good composition, sharp details and nice colours.

TFS

Pekka

Hello James,

what a beautiful Penguin, I think these specie i've never been seen.
Amazing coloirs,

Gert

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-05-09 12:54]

Hello James, very well done shot of that great bird! Well composed, sharp image and good composition, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-05-09 13:52]

Hi very short of time tonight just a note to say a great picture. well done TFS .
Nick..

Hello James,

What an unusual penguin!
I wouldn't be surprised if it was called a parrot penguin!
Wonderfully informative notes to accompany this sharp and detailed shot.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Many thanks for your warm comments on 'Honestly it's Honesty'.

I would normally say where in the world did you come up with this?! but since you have been all over the world, I reckon that is canceled...so added to the obviously hundreds of things I have never heard about more or less seen. Wow James You are a legend in your own time!
Bob

  • Great 
  • degani Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 130 W: 0 N: 322] (2607)
  • [2008-05-09 22:12]

great picture of a strange but very nice animal, an interesting note too, bravo James
kind regards
frranco

Hello James,
Shot of time and many thanks for sharing this awesome bird with such beautiful colouration, my first encounter!
best regards
Tony

Hello James,
Superb capture of this beautiful penguin
Well done
TFS, Albert

Hi James
Great capture of this stunning bird. I had not heard of this fellow before so TFS. I like the vibrant colour in this photo and the nice reedy background.
Cheers
Sue

Bellissima composizione con il pinguino seminascosto dalle erbe, ottimo POV, molto buona la nitidezza e molto belli i particolari della testa, splendidi i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi James,
A lovely capture of this beautiful and colorful penguin. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-05-10 4:52]

Hello James,
What a bright and colourful beauty very nicely captured, closely and in profile. Half-hidden by grasses he still stands out very nicely. Great focus and sharpness and a fine composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-05-10 5:40]

Hello James,
excellent and original shot of this Macaroni Penguin :-D
I love the criss-cross of the grass.
Great composition and eye-level POV.
Sharp and crisp.
Well done,

Joe

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-05-10 8:19]

Hi James,

Something else I learned about today for the first time - a Macaroni Penguin. Wonderful notes to go along with the picture - thank you for that. He seems to be hiding amongst the tall reeds. I love that yellow plume!

Jane

Hi James,
It's a good thing I verified South Georgia Island:-). It is not situated in London's neighborhood:-)
Special animal and a strange name: Macaroni?
TFS
Annick

hello James

excellent shot of this amazing and funny looking Penguin,
excellent focus, fine POV, DOF and framing,
great sharpness and details of the image's foreground, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-05-10 23:21]

Hi James,
Wonderful shot of this hidden Macaroni Penguin among the thick foliage. Beautiful colours and I always thought penguins are white and black. You have really made me see and learn something new today. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-05-11 4:16]

Hello James,
Great scan of a Macaroni Penguin going through the vegetation showing most of the penguin with fine sharpness in its natural breeding environment.
Thanks for sharing this excellent one from your archives,
Ivan

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