The lighter penguin is an elderly female whose partner died this year. The darker one is a younger male who lost his partner two years ago. Biologists have followed them as they meet every night to comfort each other. They stand for hours together watching the lights in Melbourne. Photographer Tobias Baumgaertner captured this image of two widowed fairy penguins looking over the Melbourne skyline. It has won an award in Oceanographic magazine’s Ocean Photography Awards 2020.
—
“at the end of the day, the ones who really matter
will be the ones standing next to you watching the sun set
and assuring you that it will rise again in the morning.”
-ash sweeney
—
story credit: natureblowsmymind
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
what a beautiful story, Beth; comfort and togetherness: a healing combination —
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yes, the perfect way for both of them to heal
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Aww, how lovely. Thanks for sharing
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my pleasure, sadje
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🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Sometimes, providing comfort just means being there… Great post, Beth!
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indeed it does –
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A magical reminder that we humans share so much with other creatures!
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oh, we do –
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Lovely, lovey post…
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such a lovely story
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🙂
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Aww..heartwarming! ʚ♡⃛ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)
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There’s a lesson to be learned here.
Humans are still trying to figure out what it is.
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yes, we’re not there yet
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😂😂😂
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That’s so beautiful 😭😭 thanks for sharing!!
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my pleasure
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Hi Beth,
I hope you had a beautiful Christmas!
I love this! I love how in pain they have found each other to comfort.
Blessings!
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me too and thank you
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What a heart opening message. Sharing a smile and a tear with you Beth 💕
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❤
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This is extremely sweet, Beth.
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they really are
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Most beautiful!
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aren’t they
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Yes, absolutely!
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That is so touching!
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It really is
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This is exactly what we need to understand.
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We so do
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Beautiful message Beth. Thanks for sharing.
The best beginnings and endings are those shared together.
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My pleasure
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Happy, poignant, nodding, utterly sincere sigh with kindness and gratitude.
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Yes, all of that jim
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This is always lovely to watch. Thanks, Beth. Hugs on the wing!
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❤
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Oh, my heart!
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❤️
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Happy New year dear Beth. I hope you and the family are doing well.
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yes, thank you and you too –
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OMG! ❤️
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I know, so sweet
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Other species know so much more about love and kindness than we do. If only we would see them as teachers.
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yes, we need to look up to them
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I love these penguins, not the least because they are protected by a pack of Maremmas ❤
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❤ ❤
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I love everything about this!
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me too –
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This should be enough to make anybody vegetarian lol. Embrace the soya. This is incredible.
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ah, yes –
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So touching, thank you for sharing! It sort of reminds me of George R. R. Martin’s ““When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.”
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Aw, beautiful
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Oh, Beth, this is so beautiful….the quote is so true too. I love this.
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❤️
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What a dear and unexpected story! The two of them simply standing together for comfort, and that moving quote…this will be with me a long time. ♥️
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i’m so glad you enjoyed it, i was very moved by their story as well
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Love roosts in non-human hearts, as well. Poignant.
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indeed it does
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Lovely
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I have seen photos of these two. How wonderful!!
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are they sweet?
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Yes, yes!!
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perfect in so many ways – the photo, your words, and the closing quote. thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure
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👍
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That’s almost heartbreaking and sweet all in the same gulp. We miss a lot by not paying closer attention to nature. Thanks for this.
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Yes to all of that
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That’s sweet🙂
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An incredible gesture
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I’m deeply touched. So sweet! 💞
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I love this photo, your words. Thanks and I am happy I found your site Thanks
Anita
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thank you so much, anita, and welcome – i look forward to reading yours as well –
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I love this story, Beth. A heartwarming love story. ❤
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so much so –
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Heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time! Tks for this touching beauty.
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My pleasure
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