21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Parents' Sacrifice

I was in all my puffy gear, balaclava, goggles, big gloves, and big boots, walking through the cold and windy weather to get to the emperor penguin colony from our camp. Here I found emperor parents sheltering their young ones with their bodies to give them cover from the cold wind. What a powerful moment! At least I could go inside a warm tent after a couple of hours and indulge in a warm meal

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Antarctica
Camera: ILCE-6500
Copyright: © Aviaaja Louise Schluter