See 15 Adorable Photos of Playful, Picture-Perfect Penguins

See 15 Adorable Photos of Playful, Picture-Perfect Penguins

January 31, 2025 / Forbes LA /


Text by

Tracy Scott Forson

Photographs selected by Jeff Campagna

Many people think of Antarctica and other polar regions when it comes to penguins, but the flightless birds can also be found in warmer climates in the Falkland Islands, South Africa and the Galápagos. While the 18 species of penguin differ, they are more alike than not, sharing their trademark flippers, appreciation for the sea, bowling pin shape and unmistakable waddle.

Often living in large colonies in remote areas, penguins can be difficult to find, but photographers who’ve entered the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest have made the trek to locate them. Enjoy the fruits of their labor. Take a look.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, a British territory near Antarctica, is home to a quarter of all penguins on earth.

David Swindler, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 2023

3 - When the newly discovered Ragnhild emperor penguin colony was first visited by humans in 2012, the inhabitants of the glacial landscape numbered 9,000.

When the newly discovered Ragnhild emperor penguin colony was first visited by humans in 2012, the inhabitants of the glacial landscape numbered 9,000.

David Sinclair, Antarctica, 2023

4 - Penguins—and their reflections—walk along the beach at Volunteer Point.

Penguins—and their reflections—walk along the beach at Volunteer Point.

Olav Thokle, Falkland Islands, 2023

5 - Two penguins stand flipper-in-flipper during a spectacular sunrise.

Two penguins stand flipper-in-flipper during a spectacular sunrise.

Mike Eyett, Falkland Islands, 2023

6 - A penguin seemingly pauses to contemplate its options, of which there aren’t many: back or forth?

A penguin seemingly pauses to contemplate its options, of which there aren’t many: back or forth?

Conor Ryan, Antarctica, 2019

7 - Volunteer Point is home to around 1,500 breeding pairs of king penguins.

Volunteer Point is home to around 1,500 breeding pairs of king penguins.

Tony Callaway, Falkland Islands, 2014

8 - Who can blame a mother for wanting to know what’s going on around her young one?

Who can blame a mother for wanting to know what’s going on around her young one?

Thomas Vijayan, Antarctica, 2022

9 - Penguins seemingly pose proudly for a picture at South Georgia Island’s Gold Harbor.

Penguins seemingly pose proudly for a picture at South Georgia Island’s Gold Harbor.

Susan Portnoy, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 2019

10 - Many people associate penguins with polar regions, but the Falkland Islands, where temperatures can reach into the 60s, is “one of the world’s great penguin capitals” where up to a million penguins nest every summer.

Many people associate penguins with polar regions, but the Falkland Islands, where temperatures can reach into the 60s, is “one of the world’s great penguin capitals” where up to a million penguins nest every summer. 

Michele McCormick, Falkland Islands, 2023

11 - Is it a penguin, a snow angel or both?

Is it a penguin, a snow angel or both?

Deena Sveinsson, Antarctica, 2022

12 - Orange patches on the ears and throats are a signature characteristic of adult king penguins.

Orange patches on the ears and throats are a signature characteristic of adult king penguins.

Jamie Scarrow, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 2010

13 - Penguins peacefully hang out in the snow.

Penguins peacefully hang out in the snow.

Bernd Steinebrunner, Antarctica, 2021

14 - They do have wings, but penguins cannot fly. But they can swim underwater at high speeds—as much as 15 to 25 miles per hour.

They do have wings, but penguins cannot fly. But they can swim underwater at high speeds—as much as 15 to 25 miles per hour.

Susan Portnoy, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 2019

15 - Is that a smooch? Two gentoo penguins align beak-to-beak at Mikkelsen Harbor.

Is that a smooch? Two gentoo penguins align beak-to-beak at Mikkelsen Harbor.

John Murray, Antarctica, 2022

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Forbes LA

I am an editor for Forbes Washington DC, focusing on business and entrepreneurship. I love uncovering emerging trends and crafting stories that inspire and inform readers about innovative ventures and industry insights.

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