Celebrating penguins!

Emperor Penguin and Chick (Snow Hill Island, Antarctica)

Two happy things came together this month: the sixth anniversary of the publication of “Every Penguin in the World” and the selection of my photo “Emperor Penguin and Chick” as third place winner in BirdNote’s 2026 photo contest.  Let’s celebrate!

I can’t quite believe it’s been six years since “Every Penguin” was released.  In those early months of the pandemic shutdown, I did dozens of Zoom presentations – sharing the stories and photos of the big adventure and goal my wife Susan Mann and I pursued for over 15 years to see all 18 penguin species in the wild.  Now, in 2026, our memories are as vivid and wonderful as ever. 

I am honored – thrilled, really – that “Every Penguin” has over 280 reviews on Amazon and is highly rated at 4.8 out of 5 stars.  Thank you to all who’ve read it. Yes, it is true: everybody loves penguins!

As we celebrate the sixth anniversary of “Every Penguin,” it’s a happy coincidence that one of my favorite photos received third place in BirdNote’s annual contest.  Here’s how I describe that precious moment with the Emperor Penguin and Chick:

"For several hours one afternoon, I watched this Emperor Penguin chick at the colony on Snow Hill Island. It interested me because it was alone, and these penguins are typically quite social, Emperor Penguin chicks are among the cutest animal babies in the world.  They look for all the world like they’re wearing pajamas—a onesie. This chick would approach the adults returning to the colony.  It would flap its penguin wings, toss its head back and call.  These penguin calls announce the chick’s identity.  It is saying, “This is me.”  It is how parents and chicks find each other in big colonies. But the chick had no luck.  The adults ignored it.  Some even smacked the chick with a flipper.  It endured a long afternoon of rejection.  Emperor Penguins have to be tough since only about a third of them will survive to their first birthday.  Then, surprisingly, the chick approached an adult, gave its call, and the adult called back.  A parent and chick reunion.  I expected the chick to be fed.  Instead, the chick turned and sank into the adult’s golden, pillowed chest.  A look of complete contentment came over the chick’s eyes.  The parent inspected the chick with an incredible gentleness, so surprising in the fierce conditions in which they make their lives.  The experience of Emperor Penguins is like that of no other creature I know: it’s an exhilarating combination of awe and affection, tenderness and the sublime."

Check out my website for free downloadable penguin posters and other resources and information about penguins and the natural world.  Wishing you all the penguin glow! ~ Chuck