Dr. Paul Ponganis' field camp on the sea ice from which they study Emporer penguin diving physiology and feeding patterns. The birds are temporarily restricted to diving/feeding from the dive holes within a fenced area. This corral is located too far from the sea ice edge for them to escape. Later, after having been studied and as the sea ice edge approaches, they are released. An observation tube is hung through the ice into McMurdo sound to observe the penguins going into and out of the dive holes.
During a Sea Ice Safety Course, I found a dead Emporer penguin. Because it was unusual, the researchers wanted the body to determine cause of death. Bringing it to them was my excuse to visit. Later at the Scripps Institute (US) the bird was dissected, and it turns out s/he starved to death. Poor fellow! The body felt heavy to me, but Ponganis said it was substantially lighter than it should have been.
Look under Cape Royds Adelie Penguin Rookery for pictures of the other penguin species in our area.