Where Kings are King 6U8A5176 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: The glow of a rising sun bathes a King Penguin in an auburn aura. Having just waddled out of the ocean, the bird stretches and shakes the glistening drops of brine from its feathers. It’s the start of a new day on Volunteer Beach in the Falklands where King Penguins reign.

Out to Sea 6U8A8381 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Watching King Penguins head out to sea is a treat to behold. The birds seem to exhibit a variety of emotions and behaviors. Some seem truly excited. Others, reluctant and cautious. Still, others seem totally disinterested and genuinely confused. It isn’t until one or two penguins at the front of the line is forced to take the plunge that the rest follow.

Standing Tall 6U8A8680 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Standing almost 3 feet in height, King Penguins are an imposing sight. Their tolerance for human proximity is equally amazing. Having the opportunity to observe their daily routines was pure pleasure. The Falkland Islands provided us with a smattering of weather conditions inherent to their location. This small group of King Penguins stands tall, having just returned from an ocean swim off Volunteer Point.

On Hallowed Ground 6U8A8200 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: The sun goes down over the colony at Volunteer Point and king penguins gather along with their young to spend another peaceful, though blustery, evening along the eastern shore of the Falkland Islands. Some stand alone. Others, with their mates and chicks, and a few still sit on eggs, not yet hatched. On open ground, a quarter of a mile from open ocean, and up a steep incline, these birds are safe from predators. The predators all swim in the open ocean and occasionally visit the sandy beaches. None are capable of traveling inland far enough to bring the penguins harm. The birds seem to know that humans no longer pose a threat. It’s such an honor to share the warm glow of the sun and a few moments on their hallowed ground.

A Flair for Flamboyance C7A5543 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Rockhopper penguins may not be the most colorful of the species in the Falklands. That’s a position is indisputably held by King penguins. They do, however, have a flair for flamboyance. Their red eyes and spiky black and yellow head feathers are quite the adornments. Together with cliff dwelling habits and an exuberant capability to hop from rock to rock, they literally set themselves apart from other penguins. Their capabilities allow them to scale treacherous cliffs and rocky coastlines not accessible to other species.

A Reason to Return C7A0726 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Groups of king penguins seem to wade endlessly at the water’s edge. It leaves me pondering their intentions. They are well aware of the threats that potentially lurk beyond the waves and at times they seem to wait to see if an initial swimmer returns safely before taking the plunge in mass. At other times, they simply seem to enjoy wetting their feet, the occasional splashing wave, and the comfort of socialization with members of the colony. Whatever their intentions, mine were simply to observe and enjoy. It’s reason enough to return every day.

Evening’s Rest 6U8A1278 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: As the sun sets, a rockhopper penguin’s head wearily dips as he falls into slumber. The light dances merrily in the feathers on his sleepy head. Another blustery day ends, with penguins perched on jagged cliffs hundreds of feet above the thrashing sea. It’s quite the climb, yet these amazing birds make the trek seem simple. It’s sublimely peaceful here amongst these flightless birds. They are not the least bit intimidated by my presence. They almost make me feel as if I am part of the colony. If I were not obligated to leave, I could easily find myself huddled amongst them for a tranquil, evening’s rest.

Into the Storm 6U8A8367 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: King penguins gather along the shore of Volunteer Point before sunrise on a stormy summer morning. The gale ahead doesn’t concern them in the least, for they are more than adept at navigating tempestuous seas. A large sealion, however, has been hunting the shore at daybreak. He represents a mortal threat from which many a penguin has perished. Unlike the storm, the sealion is ominously silent and strikes without warning. They may not see him coming. They have little choice, for hungry young mouths await their return at the colony on the hill.