Gentoo Penguins at dawn. It was a very early start on Pléneau Island to catch the Gentoo Penguin colony as the sun rose over the mountains and icebergs in the background. Despite the cold, it was well worth the effort.
Gentoo Penguins are the third largest of all the penguins after Emperor and King Penguins. Standing some 90cm tall and weighing up to 8.5kg, they are an impressive bird.
Pléneau Island was first charted in 1903 by Jean-Baptiste Charcot and named after Paul Pléneau, his expedition photographer. Adjacent to the island is the Iceberg Graveyard, with its many stunning icebergs.