Snow Chick: A Penguin's Tale Page #2

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At the ice hole, the standoff continues.

No one is keen to be first!

But they egg each other on,

as penguins like to do.

The coast is clear.

Their gamble paid off.

At the colony, two weeks have passed.

The chicks are testing their independence

and spending time away from their mothers.

All, that is, except one.

As the last to hatch,

he's way behind in development!

While the older chicks

are boisterous and confident

he still feels most comfortable

in his mother's pouch.

But penguins are sociable birds

and, to survive, he must learn

to play his part in the colony.

It's a daunting prospect...

but the little chick finds some courage.

It's a shaky start...

but he mustn't lose his nerve.

Time for a bit of tough love.

With every step he gains more confidence.

It's just as well...

he has so many friends to make!

But when you're the smallest,

it's tough to join the gang.

For now, there's always mum!

Out in the open ocean

the fathers are revelling

in being back in the water.

They haven't eaten for four whole months

and have lost half their body weight.

To stock up on fish and squid,

they hold their breath for up to 20 minutes

and dive to nearly 600 metres...

deeper than any other bird.

At the colony, three weeks have passed

and the chick is confidently

following his mother wherever she goes.

He's still learning

how things should be done.

And how they shouldn't!

He soon thinks

there's nothing left to learn...

so nervous toddler turns cocky explorer.

But at this age,

she mustn't let him out of her sight.

She's lost him...

and heads off in the wrong direction.

Confused, he does the only sensible thing

and heads towards the colony.

He feels safer now...

his mother must be here somewhere.

And then... security at last!

But he's got it wrong,

it's not his mother!

This must be her, surely?

Wrong again.

He tests each penguin in turn...

but nobody wants him!

In a colony this size,

he may never find his mother again!

These are desperate times.

In this frozen world, lost chicks

don't survive for long.

His father is among the many

rushing back with fresh supplies.

But he must be careful...

A pod of killer whales are on their tail.

They look for any penguin

that makes a mistake.

Just a tiny error,

but now he's in deep trouble...

He torpedoes to safety.

But killer whales are intelligent

and persistent predators

and the spring melt has turned the ice-edge

into a maze of gullies and openings.

Perfect for a surprise attack.

He must find a safe passage out

by staying on solid ice.

To keep him in their sights, they spyhop.

He sees a route, and heads for safety.

A reprieve of sorts.

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