The Story Behind Two Widowed Penguins of Melbourne Skyline

A viral picture of two penguins hugging each other and enjoying the Melbourne Skyline has won the 2020 photography award.

Two penguins hugging each other famous picture

There's a heartwarming yet sad image that went trending these past days on social media feed. Two penguins seemed to be watching the beauty of Melbourne Skyline while the other one appears to comfort the other penguin.

The picture has won the 2020 photography award. Aside from this award, this picture has also won the Community Choice Awards, as it went viral on Instagram.

Recently, the image also won the Oceanographic magazine's Ocean Photograph Awards 2020.

What's the story behind it?

According to Tobias Baumgaertner, the photographer that captured the scene, the picture was originally taken at St Kilda Pier, Melbourne in 2019.

He explained that he photographed the penguins as it looked like they were comforting each other while looking to the beautiful night scenery of Melbourne skyline.

Tobias revealed this story in March, wherein millions of people were experiencing stricter implementation of lockdown.

As he narrated:

"During times like this the truly lucky ones are those that can be with the person/people they love most. I captured this moment about a year ago, " written by him. "These two Fairy penguins poised upon a rock overlooking the Melbourne skyline were standing there for hours, flipper in flipper, watching the sparkling lights of the skyline and ocean."

"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. Since then they meet regularly comforting each other and standing together for hours watching the dancing lights of the nearby city."

As of now, the post has already reached over 20,000 likes on Instagram.

Are penguins affectionate?

Touching a penguin, according to studies, are like cuddling a "dense bag of sand." It is so slippery that once you hold it, it will only slipped out of your hand.

During courtship of male and female penguins, the male penguin will find the smoothest pebble and give it as gift for the female penguin. Once she likes the offering, she'll put it inside her nest and they will soon bond more with each other.

Other penguins, however, steal pebbles from other male penguins, in order to give the smoothest pebble for the courtship.