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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eleven: Aspects of Antarctica – a travel photo-essay > On Guard, Paradise Harbor, Antarctica, 2004Guard Duty, Paradise Harbor, Antarctica, 2004
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06-JAN-2004

On Guard, Paradise Harbor, Antarctica, 2004Guard Duty, Paradise Harbor, Antarctica, 2004

For this, my final penguin image, I emphasize the Antarctic landscape and include a group of about 30 Gentoos. Using a telephoto converter lens, I waited for the penguins at the center of this grouping to reflect their watchfulness. As one of them let out a piercing cry, another looked out to sea, and I had this shot.

Canon PowerShot G5
1/1250s f/5.6 at 28.8mm full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis14-Nov-2006 01:32
The two penguins at the apex of this image gave me a focal point, Theodore. The one letting out a cry while the other whirls to see why -- that's the story here.
Guest 13-Nov-2006 15:00
The penguin on top of the stone looks like the "alpha" male, if there is such a thing for birds. He also looks like a visionary looking to lead the rest to the summit of the mountain.
Phil Douglis14-Oct-2006 16:46
It has been almost three years since the last comment on this image, Christine -- glad you have found it interesting. Penguins see to be very social creatures, and are among the easiest to picture as humans. Probably becuase they seem to stand upright and walk on two feet. This could easily be a group of folks enjoying a day at very cold beach.
Christine P. Newman14-Oct-2006 15:26
I would like to compare their attitude as that of humans on a beach or at some kind of picnic, very social, but individualistic. I anthropomorsize, but I find it interesting.
Phil Douglis27-Jan-2004 00:57
You are a good editor, Marek -- your reasoning is sound, and I love it when you make suggestions that have merit. We all can learn from them. This is, indeed, the cleanest of my penguin shots, and it gives us a wonderful conext for Antarctica as well. The other shot you liked is actually in my composition gallery on pbase, as well as in my worldisround.com story on the trip. I used it in my composition gallery, instead of here, because of the way its outlandishly shaped "dual" iceberg so beautifully echoes the duality of the two penguins below it. http://www.pbase.com/image/25456045).
Guest 26-Jan-2004 19:39
Although, in my view, this is the best penguin shot in this selection for its clean graphic arrangement, I actually favour this omitted one:http://www.worldisround.com/articles/30203/photo1.html

The outlandish shape of the iceberg wins hands down in the 'other world' depiction stakes -- so much more involving.
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