As a wildlife photographer, Tobias Baumgaertner has captured many stunning shots. But few reach out and touch people’s hearts like the two featuring a beautiful display of affection.
In 2019, Tobias spent three nights with a colony of little penguins, or fairy penguins, in Melbourne, Australia. During that time, he noticed a pair separating themselves from the bunch. One had its flipper draped over the other in what looked like a loving embrace.
“While all the other penguins were sleeping or running around, those two seemed to just stand there and enjoy every second they had together,” he wrote.
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Little did Tobias know that loss connected the two.
“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.” he explained. “Since then they meet regularly comforting each other and standing together for hours watching the dancing lights of the nearby city.”
Moved, Tobias set out to capture their bond. It took days, but he left with two perfect shots – and two examples of how love can heal. After the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic in March, Tobias shared the photos on Instagram, writing, “During times like this the truly lucky ones are those that can be with the person/people they love most.”
His masterpieces went viral, spreading joy (and tears) to thousands. As one person put it, “It’s the cutest, most heartwarming thing I’ve ever seen.”
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These penguins can’t talk, but they still send an important message: we’ll get through this difficult time if we stick together. Thank you, Tobias, for the sweet reminder.
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