Running the gauntlet

Most of the macaroni penguins we study exit the water amid large waves and straight away have to climb up the steep rocky slope. Over at the back of the colony however there's a short stretch of shingle they can take a short-cut through, providing there aren't too many fur seals about. The seals aren't a threat as a predator, and a mac will definitely fight back if threatened, but they can be knocked out of the way by males fighting or a mother protecting her pup