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Our amazing professional photographer from One Ocean Expeditions, Boomer, lying on the ground, capturing the perfect shot. That penguin proceeded to get closer and closer to him as he laid there. This was how close you could get to the Kings and they were so curious about us as you can see. I think the shape of the camera with its lens protruding, looking somewhat penguin'ish, along with our brightly colored red or blue jackets, attracted them to us. Maybe we were jumbo penguins to them? Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.365" S 35°56'31.739" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

At Gold Harbour, groups like these would be waddling along. They'd just stop right in front of you and chill, checking you out, just as much as we were doing them. It almost became so commonplace, you had to watch where you were stepping sometimes. If you had your camera stuck to your face for a while and started to walk to the next spot, sometimes they would be right in front of you without you knowing. Unless they were chirping or squawking a bit, they are actually quite quiet. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.365" S 35°56'31.739" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Here we were, our first day setting foot on land in South Georgia, seeing our first King Penguin up close, of which would be one of many hundreds of thousands, if not approaching a million or more by the end of the 2 week trip. King Haakon Bay only had a colony of maybe twenty penguins, huddled far off in the distance and we couldn’t approach it within a few hundred yards. But there were these three Kings that went exploring from their group. We were utterly fascinated with them as you can see. This little guy was slowly walking amongst us, stopping for a bit to pause, letting us fire away some shots, and then started up again. It eventually joined up with the other two Kings, making their way back to the small colony, but that took quite a while, allowing for many more close encounters with these cuties. King Haakon Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°8'40.001" S 37°16'58.608" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Behold the Beachmaster!! This guy was huge! And he just won a fight in the water, dueling with another smaller male elephant seal. His post-victory end-zone dance/celebration/chest pounding/I-am-seal-hear-me-roar, was close to a minute long. It was a deep, gut-punching, machine gun like belch, over and over, until he made sure no other male would mess with him. It is said this roar can be heard from over mile away and I strongly concur, sitting no more than maybe 100ft away. With a slight chill in the air, he was expending so much effort doing this, that you can even see steam protruding from its open mouth. The rawness of nature is so amazing. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'2.597" S 35°56'21.348" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Imagine trying to photograph a fast moving bird in the sky about a hundred feet or more from you. Now imagine doing that, but while on a boat, in the middle of the South Atlantic, in choppy waves, trying to balance yourself so you not only don’t fall overboard, but also steady yourself and hands enough, while fully zoomed in about 400mm, to get a tack sharp, in-focus shot. Not to mention all that, add in cold blowing wind and spray of the ocean, freezing your fingertips, face and body. This absolutely beautiful Cape Petrel lined up just perfectly. I couldn’t believe it when I got back and looked through the loads and loads of photo bursts and found this gem. Just stunning! South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 53°15'7.506" S 45°45'47.028" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

This adorable female elephant seal was bobbing her head up and down the whole time I was near her. I think she may have been trying to toss sand on her back, which could be to keep her body temperature comfortable while on land. Each time she kept getting higher and higher, her mouth crept open further. I just waited and timed this shot, at the highest point of her motion, mouth and eyes fully open with wonder, and a pink tongue in all its glory. It was almost like she knew I was wanting to photograph her, so she put on her best show. St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'10.979" S 36°11'17.441" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Just like I have mentioned before, Gold Harbour was one of my favorite landings in South Georgia. The Kings here were especially curious and bold and would waddle not more than a few feet or less to you, inspecting you like some detective on a murder case, moving its head from one side to the other. And their eyes were so expressive and emotive. They would sit for many minutes at a time, staring at you all beady eyed. I so wish I knew penguin talk, like the Dog Whisperer but for penguins. “Hey buddy, what’s up? How’s it going? Catch any good fish today? Water chilly?" At that moment, I came to the realization that if I could redo my career path from experiencing and knowing what I know now then, I would in a heartbeat have taken a path that involves something with these magnificent mammals. I am just lucky enough to have experienced this firsthand, all thanks to my passion for photography. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.479" S 35°56'31.313" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

This was a rare sighting down in South Georgia, for Weddell Seals live in a circumpolar distribution around Antarctica. Our One Ocean expedition guides told us there has been a small population of Weddells observed year-round here in Larsen Harbor, along with some others who have been seen in South America, New Zealand and south of Australia. There was only this one lying on the small spit of flat land, in what is mostly sheer cliffs of the fjord and no flat shoreline. Our expedition guide got our Zodiac to about 20 or so feet and turned off the motor, as to not disturb it. As we clicked away grabbing shots like this, it just sat there on its side looking at us, never moving, with not a care in the world. Drygalski Fjord & Larsen Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°50'10.032" S 36°2'35.892" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Only a face a mother could love. This “adorable” full grown male elephant seal, was basking in the sun, laying on its back, fast asleep, snoring deep zzzzzzzzz. These suckers can grow up to 20 ft and come in close to 9,000 pounds. You can see the bloodied gnash marks all along the side of its head, which are from the fights with other males, fighting over territory and female seals. Every time it let out air, its proboscis, the bulbous nose with a sack-like appendage, would flutter back and forth. It was like one of those Disney or Warner Bros. cartoons from back in the day, when the cartoon character would be sleeping on their backs and their lips or nose would flutter and expand in an overly exaggerated way. Only on males, this proboscis and the more folds it has, allows for it to amplify snorts, grunts and loud, drum-like bellows that can be heard miles away. When you are standing 15-20 feet away and a male starts grunting, you feel it rattling your soul. St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'9.96" S 36°11'16.817" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

King Penguins breed under some of the harshest conditions and due to their unusually long breeding cycle of 14-16 months in this part of the world, really only get to reproduce twice every 2-3 years. Mating usually starts so chicks are born during the harshest months. This allows mature penguins who leave their parents, to do so in the summer when food is plentiful, allowing for their best chance at survival alone. Visiting in November, we were hitting the tail end of the breeding cycle, that spans from September, with couples who were unsuccessful last cycle starting even earlier. When the egg is laid, both couples take turns incubating it, balancing it on their feet and covering it with a warm layer of feathered skin called a brood pouch, while the other goes out to sea to hunt for fish. About two months later, the chick will hatch and spend another 30-40 days under this pouch for protection. After that period, the chicks are large enough to protect themselves and start curiously exploring their world. Then in light of all that, factor in their baby might not even survive and make it into childhood during that time. Life in South Georgia is so very fragile and so very precious. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.437" S 35°56'31.692" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

After we landed on the beachhead at Salisbury Plain, we were immediately engulfed by swarms of King Penguins like this. There were so many right near the water’s edge, that the zodiac drivers had to be careful not to hit them, as they tried to come ashore and land. While smaller in the numbers compared to St. Andrews Bay, with about 50,000 more, I liked Salisbury just a tad bit more, due to how accessible and close you could get to the main colony. You walked probably an eighth of a mile and there you were, standing in front of a 250,000 King Penguin colony, complete with the full grown adults and their puffy brown kids. Salisbury Plain, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°3'37.331" S 37°19'25.98" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

After breakfast that morning, we rolled into Drygalski Fjord on the Southern end of South Georgia, to go on a zodiac ride in Larsen Harbour. The mountains here in the fjord jutted up a good 3,000-4,000 feet, almost abruptly from sea level, so they felt even taller. I love how the peaks look so nicely stacked and spaced against one another, as if they all tried to grow at the same time, but were polite to leave space for the other. Then the beautiful, glistening white snow caps, coupled with the sheer rock faced slopes of the mountains, and the shadows playing a dance in between them. I could have stared for days at all the detail and variances on all these peaks, but had to make my way onto the zodiac. Drygalski Fjord & Larsen Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°52'18.737" S 35°53'45.426" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

The vistas along the Shackleton Hike were all like this. Stunning landscapes and mountain peaks as far as the eye could see. Along with all the mountain peaks, you can make out the top part of König Glacier right in the middle. If we didn’t have to meet the boat on the other side in Stromness, I could have stayed up here for hours, taking it all in, photographing shot after shot. Kaylan, one of the amazing One Ocean Expeditions leaders, kindly posed for my photo, as if embodying Shackleton back in the day, looking out over the final stretch home. The Shackleton Hike to Stromness, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°9'13.236" S 36°45'29.31" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

While I was taking my time lapse at Gold Harbour, individual King Penguins like this, would waddle their way up to me and my tripod. Not more than a few feet away, it would look at me, with a curious but puzzled look on its face, flapping its wings, shaking its tail feathers and singing me a tune. Maybe it was the click of my camera, firing every 10 seconds or that the tripod with a lens somewhat resembles a large penguin, but whatever it was, I was thoroughly enjoying being there, soaking in the raw and pure elements of the wildlife. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'3.365" S 35°56'31.739" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

These adorable elephant seal pups were everywhere at Gold Harbour, from the moment the first group unloaded off the zodiac, to when the last departed. It was a literal swarm of a these cuties, coming up to the home base on the beach, which is where everyone could leave their belongings, along with an expedition guide always present to assist with anything. My friend I probably spent a good half hour or more, sitting in the sand, while these pups came right up to us within inches, soaking it all in. I mean honestly, how could you not love them, with their puppy like faces, and big round, inquisitive, curious eyes, looking right at you. These few week old pups were looking at us for food, more specifically, milk. Their moms trained them for 2-3 weeks and then took off to sea, gone for at least a few years before seeing them again. While it might seem harsh, in nature, it is sink or swim. For these pups, instincts will kick in and most will survive to grow into adulthood. Gold Harbour, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°37'2.615" S 35°56'21.594" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

The thing I loved about St. Andrews Bay, was the variety of terrain we got to walk around on, that covered a wide expanse of the bay. You could either stay down near the shoreline, wandering the almost 3 mile long stretch of the beach, or head up into the hilly terrain, where a lot of the King Penguins reside. Their massive colony, the largest on the island at nearly 500,000, was further up from the beach, and to get there, you had to hike up these hills for a good twenty minutes. All along the way, you would find these solo Kings, just chilling, standing all by their lonesome, as if they were lost or just needed some alone me-time, away from the colony. If I were a penguin here, I would probably do the same, for when you were standing on the hill overlooking the colony, the noise was almost deafening. St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'16.601" S 36°11'22.205" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

Can you believe this elephant seal photobombed me? I was watching this King preen itself over and over for a few minutes and particularly liked how it had its neck and head angled, with its beak flush to its body. So I snapped away, casually glanced at my screen in the bright sun, confirming I got it and walked away. It wasn’t until later that night when I was looking through my photos from the day, back on the ship, when I noticed the photobombing elephant seal. She just wanted to wave and say “Hi there, the Kings aren’t the only things here you can photograph you know?" St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 54°26'11.099" S 36°11'17.682" W • • • • #agameoftones #theIMAGED#TeamCanon #Canon_Photos #YourShotPhotographer #artofvisuals#aov #global_hotshotz #folkgood#passionpassport! #exploretocreate #CreateExploreTakeover #CreateExplore #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #wildernessculture #visualsoflife #stayandwander #lifeofadventure #mobilemag #modernoutdoors #igmasters #streetdreamsmag #fatalframes #CreateCommune #HeaterCentral #meistershots #TheCreatorClass #weeklyfeature #OneOceanExpeditions (at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)