Behind the Lens: Capturing the Magic of Magellanic Penguins in the Falklands

With a white band across their head and a belly to match, Magellanic penguins are one of the unexpected characters of the Falklands.

One of 18 penguin species, this spectacular-looking seabird spends its summers on the coastlines of the Falkland Islands, intriguing visitors on a Falkland Islands cruise who often don’t imagine seeing plodding penguins set against crashing waves, pale sandy beaches and green hills.

Silversea Expedition Filmmaker Benn Berkeley was one of those visitors. Beguiled by feathers and beaks that travelers usually associate with the ice of the subantarctic region, he found himself in his creative flow as a filmmaker while in the presence of this captivating animal.

Unusual wildlife, idyllic location

“There are so many different species of penguins that Magellanic penguins weren’t even on my radar, but the Falkland Islands really are unique with some of their wildlife,” says Berkeley. “It reminds you of the moors in the U.K. where you see wind beaten moorland, and then you get these other parts with penguin colonies, albatross and a huge abundance of wildlife.”

Saunders Island, which is northwest of the archipelago and home to those striking sweeping vistas, was where Berkeley filmed these birds that can live up to 10–20 years. His epic trip was part of an 18-day Silversea cruise in February.

“On Saunders Island, there’s varied terrain where these penguins burrow for their shelter as opposed to other penguins [who don’t]. It was just nice to be able to shoot and see them in a totally different environment with grass, white sand beaches and in their burrows.”

Intricate details with a zoom lens

Using his RED digital camera with a 100–400mm lens, Berkeley was able to get close enough for those all-encompassing fine details of these birds from a safe distance while they relaxed in the safety of their hillside burrows, which can be up to 6.5 feet deep.

“They sleep in burrows, as opposed to Gentoo penguins which won’t really have any shelter. They just huddle together and it’s the same with a lot of penguins,” he says. “But Magellanic penguins have big burrows in the hillside that they dig out. To help get closer, I zoomed in at 400mm.”

The Falkland Islands, where other bird species, such as the Black-Browed Albatross and the Striated Caracara are also abundant, is a mecca for birders and nature-lovers — and for anyone eager to capture their antics on film.

Are the Falkland Islands on your radar? See Magellanic penguins during a Silversea South America or Antarctica itinerary.