In a year filled with powerful imagery, one photograph has captured hearts worldwide – two widowed penguins sharing a moment of comfort on St Kilda Pier in Melbourne. The touching scene won the Community Choice Award at the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards, hosted by Oceanographic magazine.
The remarkable image showcases the intimate connection between two fairy penguins against the backdrop of Melbourne’s lights. These penguins are part of a thriving colony of 1,400 that call St Kilda Pier home. At just 33cm tall, fairy penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world, yet this photograph proves they’re capable of displaying profound emotional depth.
Key Takeaways
- The award-winning photograph captured two widowed fairy penguins embracing at St Kilda Pier in Melbourne, winning the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards’ Community Choice Award
- German photographer Tobias Baumgaertner spent three nights observing the penguin colony to capture this remarkable moment, overcoming challenges like no artificial lighting and limited visibility
- The photo features two specific penguins – an elderly female and younger male – who formed a bond after losing their partners, showcasing profound emotional depth in these 33cm-tall creatures
- St Kilda Pier houses a thriving colony of 1,400 fairy penguins, making it an ideal location for wildlife photography that blends urban landscapes with natural behavior
- The image went viral globally with over 100,000 shares in 24 hours and was featured by major outlets like BBC and National Geographic, resonating deeply during global lockdowns
- Wildlife photographers must follow strict ethical guidelines, including maintaining minimum distances from penguins and using appropriate camera settings for low-light conditions
The Award-Winning Penguin Photograph
A touching photograph of two widowed penguins embracing on St Kilda Pier earned recognition at the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards hosted by Oceanographic magazine. The penguin award-winning photo captures a rare moment of connection between two fairy penguins against Melbourne’s illuminated skyline.
The Story Behind the Viral Image
The photograph depicts two fairy penguins standing close together on the pier, their silhouettes outlined against Melbourne’s city lights. Both penguins had lost their respective partners prior to the captured moment, making their shared comfort particularly meaningful. The penguins routinely gather at this location after sunset, creating opportunities for these intimate moments to unfold.
The Photographer’s Journey
German photographer Tobias Baumgaertner captured this exceptional moment after spending three nights observing the penguin colony at St Kilda Pier. Local volunteers informed him about these two particular penguins’ histories, adding depth to the captured scene. His patience paid off when he managed to photograph this poignant interaction, leading to recognition in Oceanographic magazine’s Ocean Photography Awards competition.
| Photography Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | St Kilda Pier, Melbourne |
| Year | 2020 |
| Competition | Ocean Photography Awards |
| Organizing Body | Oceanographic Magazine |
| Photographer | Tobias Baumgaertner |
| Subject | Two widowed fairy penguins |
Life Through the Lens: Melbourne’s Penguin Colony
St Kilda Pier in Melbourne hosts a thriving colony of 1,400 fairy penguins, making it a prime location for wildlife photography. The pier’s unique setting combines urban landscapes with natural wildlife behavior, creating opportunities for extraordinary photographic moments.
A Tale of Two Penguins
The penguin award winning photo captures two fairy penguins standing together on rocks, silhouetted against Melbourne’s illuminated skyline. These particular penguins, an elderly female and a younger male, formed a bond after losing their respective partners. The pair’s regular meetups involve standing together for hours, watching the city lights reflect off the ocean while engaging in typical bonded behaviors such as preening and vocalizing.
Three Nights of Patient Photography
Photographer Tobias Baumgaertner dedicated three consecutive nights to photographing the penguin colony under challenging conditions:
- Zero artificial lighting allowed near the colony
- Constant movement of the subjects
- Limited visibility in low-light conditions
- Restricted shooting positions to protect the colony
The technical challenges included:
| Photography Constraint | Impact on Shooting |
|---|---|
| No artificial lights | Required high ISO settings |
| Penguin size | 33cm average height made framing difficult |
| Movement patterns | Continuous preening and cleaning behaviors |
| Location access | Limited positioning options on pier |
The photographer’s persistence resulted in capturing the intimate moment that earned recognition at the Ocean Photography Awards, showcasing the delicate balance between urban development and wildlife preservation at St Kilda Pier.
The Impact and Recognition
This penguin award-winning photo transformed from a remarkable capture into a global symbol of connection during challenging times. The image’s impact extended far beyond its artistic merit, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Community Choice Award Winner
The photograph secured the Community Choice Award at the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards, earning recognition from both photography experts and the public. The award highlighted the image’s technical excellence in challenging low-light conditions while capturing authentic wildlife behavior. Oceanographic Magazine’s competition drew entries from 50 countries, making this win particularly significant for highlighting urban wildlife photography.
Global Response and Viral Success
The image achieved viral status across social media platforms, generating over 100,000 shares within the first 24 hours of publication. Major news outlets including BBC, National Geographic and The Guardian featured the photograph, expanding its reach to millions of viewers. The timing of the release during global lockdowns amplified its emotional impact, as viewers connected with the penguins’ display of companionship. Photography communities praised the technical aspects while general audiences responded to the universal themes of comfort and connection depicted in the urban wildlife setting.
| Impact Metrics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Social Media Shares | 100,000+ |
| News Coverage | 25+ major outlets |
| Competition Entries | 50 countries |
| Total Global Views | 5+ million |
Wildlife Photography Best Practices
Wildlife photography demands respect for animal welfare while capturing authentic moments in their natural habitat. Successful penguin award winning photos combine technical expertise with ethical considerations.
Capturing Animal Behavior Ethically
- Maintain a minimum distance of 15 feet from penguins to prevent stress
- Use telephoto lenses (300mm or longer) for close-up shots without disturbing subjects
- Observe local wildlife regulations at photography sites
- Keep artificial lighting to a minimum during nocturnal photography sessions
- Stay on designated paths to protect penguin habitats
- Monitor animal behavior for signs of distress such as head-turning or retreat
- Exit the area if penguins show aggressive or defensive postures
- Set camera ISO between 1600-6400 for low-light conditions
- Select aperture settings of f/2.8 to f/4 to capture sharp subjects
- Use continuous autofocus (AI Servo) for tracking moving penguins
- Enable burst mode at 5-10 frames per second for action sequences
- Position camera at penguin eye level for intimate perspectives
- Utilize image stabilization for steady shots in dim lighting
- Apply spot metering to handle high contrast city backgrounds
- Choose shutter speeds of 1/250 or faster to freeze motion
- Pack weather-sealed equipment for protection against sand water
| Camera Settings | Daytime Value | Low-light Value |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | 400-800 | 1600-6400 |
| Aperture | f/5.6-f/8 | f/2.8-f/4 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/500+ | 1/250-1/60 |
| Focus Mode | AI Servo | AI Servo |
| Metering | Matrix | Spot |
Conclusion
This heartwarming photograph of two widowed fairy penguins has captured the world’s imagination and reminded us of nature’s incredible ability to find solace in companionship. We’ve seen how a single image can transcend its artistic merit to become a powerful symbol of hope and connection.
The recognition at the Ocean Photography Awards hasn’t just celebrated technical excellence but has also highlighted the delicate balance between urban development and wildlife preservation. Through Baumgaertner’s lens we’ve witnessed a remarkable moment that continues to inspire photographers and nature enthusiasts worldwide.
This story shows us that sometimes the most profound wildlife photographs emerge when we simply observe let nature unfold and respect the boundaries of our animal subjects.
