Faithful: Love Lost But Never Forgotten

Two widowed penguins, one lighter and older, the other younger and darker, have become a symbol of comfort and connection. After losing their respective partners. They find each night to spend hours together gazing at Melbourne’s skyline, as if they shared their grief and found solace in each other’s company.

This scene was immortalized by photographer Tobias Baumgaertner, who won an award at Oceanographic magazine’s 2020 Ocean Photography Awards for this touching image. These tiny fairy penguins, faithful to a single partner throughout their lives, remind us of the depth of emotional bonds in the animal kingdom.