Two widowed penguins seemingly comfort one another as they gaze upon Melbourne’s lights. St Kilda, Australia. Tobias Baumgaertner, Finalist Community Choice Award
An excerpt of a story by By Margherita Cole on December 29, 2020, in My Modern Met. For the whole story, click on Margherita’s name.
In 2019, photographer Tobias Baumgaertner snapped a romantic shot of two widowed penguins overlooking a pier in Melbourne, Australia. He shared the photograph on his Instagram during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help lift people’s spirits, and it quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes, comments, and shares. So, it’s only fitting that Baumgaertner’s photo, nominated for the Community Choice Award in the 2020 Ocean Photography Awards, won the title by popular vote.
“I posted this image of these two Fairy penguins a little more than half a year ago, and since then it has circled the globe, it has been seen by millions, and I have received thousands of messages and comments of how these two little guys have touched and mended broken hearts, brought joy, hope, and love into your lives,” Baumgaertner said on his Instagram. “It has become a symbol of togetherness and love. Times are still not easy for many of us, [so] I repeat what I wrote back then. During times like this, the truly lucky ones are those that can be with the person/people they love most.”
The German wildlife photographer spent three nights with the Fairy penguin colony in St. Kilda in hopes of attaining the perfect picture. Although the conditions were difficult, and he wasn’t able to use any lights, his patience finally paid off when he captured two penguins comforting each other in front of the pier. “A volunteer approached me and told me that the white one was an elderly lady who had lost her partner and apparently so did the younger male to the left,” Baumgaertner wrote. “Since then, they meet regularly, comforting each other and standing together for hours watching the dancing lights of the nearby city.”
Today’s JohnKu talks about Christmas Eve. A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
Christmas Eve by John W. Howell.
Tis the day before,
We celebrate Christ’s birthday . . .
Peace on Earth to All.
Fiction Favorites 
May peace be our gift to receive and give!
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Always, Annette. Thank you.
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What a beautiful photo capture! Thank you for sharing, John. I’m always deeply moved by the manifest tenderness of wildlife. This is the perfect reminder for this season. May blessings abound for you and your family. ❄❄🎄❄❄
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Thank you, Gwen. Blessings to you and your family as well. 😊
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Such a lovely photo and story, John. To be loved is truly the greatest blessing.
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Thank you, Lori. You are so right. 😁
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Lovely story, John. We can bring comfort to others.
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Bringing comfort to others might be the most important job we can do. Thanks, Dan
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Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Mark. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as well. I look forward to seeing you in 2022. 🎄
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Perfect … simply perfect! Thank you. Merry Christmas to the Howell household.
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And to you and yours, Frank. 🎄
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Fantastic photo and story, John. Wishing you and your family Merry Christmas and peace on earth.
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Thank you, Joan. Wishing you and your family the same. 🎄
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A perfect post to honor the spirit of Christmas!
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Thank you Liz. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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Perfect, John. Absolutely perfect!
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Thak you, GP. 😁
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So, so wonderful. Merry Christmas, John, to you and your family — including your own pair that know how to comfort, annoy, and amuse one another.
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Merry Christmas to you, Linda. All the best for the New Year too. 🎄
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Beautiful, John. Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas, Jill. 🎄
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This is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard!
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A great story. Thanks, Teri.
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Amazing story and photograph. Merry Christmas, John!
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I remember when this showed up. It was and still is a very sweet story.
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Wonderful story and photo. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, Karen. Merry Christmas to you.
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Such a great story — thanks for sharing it here, John. “Peace on Earth” is a wish that never grows old! Happy Christmas and 2022 to you and your crew!
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Thank you, Debbie. 🎄
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Heartwarming!!! Thanks, John!
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Thank you, Jill.
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Stunning Christmas JohnKu & wonderful photo, dear John! Thank you!🎄🎉
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You are welcome for sure. 🎄😁🍸
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A Kleenex special! May there be peace on Earth and goodwill to all… Merry Christmas, John!
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Thank you, Noelle. Merry Christmas to you.
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This is wonderful, John. Happy holidays!
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thank you, Becky. Happy Holidays to you.
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This is lovely, John. Thanks for sharing something positive. Merry Christmas and hugs on reindeer hooves.
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Yes indeed. 😁
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That’s beautiful, thanks, John.
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Thank you, Craig. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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I’m reading aloud “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” at school. The children will love seeing this photo. They’ll understand.
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Yes they will. 😊
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🙂
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Boss,
You chose the photograph OF the season. So perfectly beautiful.
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Thank you, Pilgrim.
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I am so late visiting this post, but just have to leave a comment. What a heartwarming photo Tobias shared!
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Yes it is. Thanks, Jan
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I am way later than Jan in visiting. I remember seeing this and somehow thought I had responded. This picture speaks volumes.
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