13. LOOK OUT WORLD - HERE I COME!

A throng of youngsters, who have all grown up with each other, huddle together, hoping their parents will come back with more fish. But they never do. As they wait, they spend their time picking off the remains of their grey plumage to reveal sleek black-and-white coats underneath. Finally driven by hunger, the little Emperors follow their instincts and head towards the ocean. Once the most timid member of the group, Snow Chick is the first to take the plunge (circled) — even if only by accident. As a piece of ice breaks off, he slips down the bank and into the water. Now the most experienced member of his crew, he leads the gang into the ocean which will be their home for the next four years. He'll return only when he is old enough to make the journey back to the breeding ground, find a partner and have a chick of his own