I recently had the incredible opportunity to sit down for a podcast conversation with Dr. Jean Pennycook, a science communicator and field researcher who lives and works among penguins in Antarctica. In one of the most extreme environments on Earth, Jean studies Adélie penguins up close, sharing her discoveries with classrooms and the wider public across the globe. In this blog post, I highlight some of the fascinating insights from our chat and share a rare behind-the-scenes look at her life on the ice through a selection of photos she sent me directly from Ross Island.
This rare photograph shows Adélie penguins standing beside Emperor penguins. While these two species typically inhabit different areas, encounters like this can occur near the edge of their ranges. The size difference is striking Adélies are about half the height of the regal Emperors.
A heart-warming scene from Cape Royds an Adélie chick seeks shelter and warmth beneath its parent. During the early weeks after hatching, chicks rely entirely on their parents for warmth and protection against the biting Antarctic cold.
This is where Jean lives and works for months at a time. Her tent, located at Cape Royds, serves as both shelter and field station. With no buildings nearby, researchers must carry everything they need including food, communications gear, and scientific tools.
A wide view of the rocky, ice-covered Ross Island Jean’s seasonal home. The harsh volcanic terrain and persistent cold form a dramatic backdrop to her daily work with penguins and field science. It’s one of the most isolated research outposts in the world.
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