Three gentoo penguins reclaim their place in nature among the ruins of an Antarctic whaling station abandoned in 1931 – photographer captures wildlife returning to the relics of a dark industry

Three penguins standing close together on rocky ground next to a rusty metal structure in a natural outdoor setting.

In a place marked by industrial whaling, ecological devastation, and the boom-and-bust of an industry built on exploiting the ocean's resources, award-winning wildlife photographer Romain Barats captured this striking image of three gentoo penguins standing among the remains of a dark chapter in Antarctica's history.

Barats photographed the wildlife trio at the former Hektor whaling station at Whalers Bay on Deception Island, where the rusting structures now sit against the island's black volcanic landscape. Whaling activity began here in 1906, while the Hektor station operated from 1912 until 1931. Today, the site offers a stark contrast between the remnants of Antarctica's industrial past and the wildlife that inhabits the area.

Barats' powerful image of the gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua), dwarfed by the relics of the whaling industry, has now been named a finalist in the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 competition in the Conservation (Impact) category.

Finalist: Conservation (Impact) – Photographer of the Year

Review insight, "This lens gives extended telephoto reach with no reduction in aperture, along with super-speedy autofocus and highly effective optical image stabilization. It’s ideal for action, sports and wildlife photography, as well as for portraiture when you want to keep a discrete distance" (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Gear info
Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Lens: Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM + Canon Extender RF 1.4x

Exposure
1/200 sec, f/14, ISO 2000

The story behind the still
"Three gentoo penguins stand beside the rusting remains of the former Hektor whaling station at Whalers Bay, Deception Island.

"Once a center of Antarctic whaling, the site is now being reclaimed by wildlife and the harsh polar environment.

"The penguins appear almost like sentinels, watching over the ruins of an industry that once exploited these waters.

"Today, the silence is broken not by machinery, but by the return of the wildlife that has made this place its own again."

The winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition will be announced in September. The award is presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain.

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