In Antarctica, photography by contrast is usually the only way to get a reliable idea of the size of what we are observing. The icebergs we see in the distance could be as big as a bus or large islands on which several buildings could be built. Without many other clues around us, wildlife becomes an excellent ally in determining what the landscape in front of us looks like. This principle can be applied to other types of landscape photography, such as those taken in caves or at great depths.
The species in this image is the chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus). This solitary specimen was resting on a large iceberg, relatively far from any colony in sight. The species, which is considered a bio-indicator of Antarctic ecosystem change due to its dependence on krill (Euphausia spp.) and fish species such as Pleuragramma antarcticum, has experienced a dramatic decline in recent decades. In just fifty years, between 40–60% of colonies have declined in abundance, with most suffering losses of more than 50%. Changes in temperature, which directly affect the abundance of their prey, and competition from other more adaptable penguin species are some of the main factors explaining this situation. It is not surprising, therefore, that some predictions are already warning that this species could become extinct within a few decades.
