RIGHTThissereneimage
beliestheclumsybusinessof
penguinmating:it isoftena
fewbelly-flopsbeforethemale
holdshisposition.Pregnancy
isdemandingofthefemale,
andoncehereggislaid,she
mustreturntotheoceanto
feed.Thismeansentrusting
hermatewithcareofher
o spring,butthematernal
bonddoesnotbreakeasily.
Themaleworkshardto
persuadeher,constantly
loweringhisheadtoherfeet
andmirroringhercalls,until
sherelinquishesherprecious
cargo.Withwinteraroundthe
corner,heisnowsoleguardian
forthehatchling-to-be.
December 2019 BBC Wildlife 45
PHOTO STORY EMPEROR PENGUINS