Secrets of the Penguins

National Geographic has earned a distinguished standing by exposing the mysterious realms of the animal world through its renowned “Secrets of” documentary series, overseen by James Cameron. These documentaries delve into subjects ranging from elephants and whales to octopuses, offering cinematic, personal insights into wild life, occasionally disclosing behaviors never witnessed before. The latest addition to the series, titled “Unveiling Penguin Mysteries“, is currently captivating audiences.

In a chat with ScreenRant recently, wildlife filmmaker and host Bertie Gregory expressed that titling something “Secrets of the Penguins” sets quite a high bar. He admitted that he felt he understood penguins well beforehand, but discovered he was terribly mistaken. Whenever they spent time with these birds, just when he thought they’d reached their limit, they surprised him by doing something utterly extraordinary.

Exploring the captivating world of penguins, “The Secrets of the Penguins” offers surprising behaviors, groundbreaking visuals, and an emotional depth that goes beyond typical wildlife documentaries. This isn’t just another nature show; it’s a refreshing, candid glimpse into 18 beloved species of penguins, still holding many secrets close to their hearts. I had the privilege of experiencing this extraordinary journey at one of the locations where the three-episode “Secrets of the Penguins” series, narrated by Blake Lively, was filmed. More on that exciting adventure later…

Meet the Man Behind the Lens: Bertie Gregory

Emmy and BAFTA Award-Winning Nat Geo Explorer Teams With Award-Winning Talesmith Production Company

Bertie Gregory has swiftly established himself as one of National Geographic’s most prominent filmmakers, renowned for his innovative approach to wildlife storytelling. His work combines scientific expertise and raw passion, making each project resonate deeply. Furthermore, his dedication to following penguins is facilitated by his readiness to venture where many others dare not go.

Gregory candidly shares that filming this series was like experiencing an emotional rollercoaster. As he gets to know these penguins, watches them mature, and forms a unique connection with them, it’s a one-way bond – they don’t seem to care about us. However, they might perceive us as overly attached. But when they thrive side by side, the joy and triumph are palpable. Our aim is for viewers to share this emotional journey in every episode, and I’m confident that each installment will take them on an emotional rollercoaster.”

Gregory’s empathy and stunning cinematography make him a perfect match for a daring and intimate series like Secrets of the Penguins.

As a passionate cinephile immersed in the world of wildlife documentaries, let me share my perspective on the creation of Nat Geo Explorer’s BAFTA-winning series, “Secrets of the Penguins.” Unlike what it may seem, this incredible journey wasn’t solely undertaken by one explorer. Instead, it required a small yet mighty army, and years of careful planning to amass enough captivating footage for the three episodes. In Gregory’s own words, “It’s not just about spending time with fascinating creatures; it’s also about collaborating with remarkable individuals.” The research team at Talesmith, who brought this series to life, were an integral part of this collective effort.

The team at Talesmith, consisting of more than 70 esteemed scientists and filmmakers, dedicated over two years to recording diverse penguin species and unique, previously unseen behaviors that offer insights into their evolution and survival strategies. As Gregory explains, the abundance of never-before-filmed secrets in this series is due to our extensive time spent in the field. For instance, the Emperor penguins were filmed during two separate shoots spanning 2.5 months, with the first episode focusing exclusively on abandoned chicks for which the team stayed for a remarkable duration of two consecutive months. Additionally, an additional team of three members persisted for an uninterrupted 274 days.

Gregory mentioned that, in essence, they transformed into penguins, making a significant personal sacrifice. This is what makes the film so enchanting and heartfelt because they spent their entire life cycle with these penguins. To achieve such an intimate portrayal of penguins and their unique habitats, National Geographic utilized expert knowledge, advanced camera technology, and unwavering dedication.

Why Penguins, Why Now?

Filming the Impossible: Two Years in the Wild

Penguins have been popular figures on screens for some time now, but the “Secrets of the Penguins” series sheds light on their critical importance in today’s ecological context. Instead of just providing amusement, penguins serve as vital signs of oceanic well-being. Their survival is not only crucial for them, but also significantly connected to our own.

As I ponder upon these fascinating creatures, I realize that the well-being of penguins serves as a barometer for ocean health, a vital aspect for our own survival. Regardless of their distant dwellings, we humans share an unspoken bond with them – a connection that stretches across the vast oceans linking us all.

The series highlights the variety among numerous species across various climates, drawing attention not only to their distinctiveness but also the perils they encounter – ranging from melting ice caps to vanishing food supplies. The opening episode portrays the daring strategies penguin chicks employ to survive and the preparations adult penguins make for a crucial life event on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The second episode spotlights adaptive techniques used for hunting and teamwork in an entirely different climate, the Galápagos Islands. The third episode delves into something unique that could shape the future of penguin species. There’s a wealth of additional intrigue throughout.

Producing “Secrets of the Penguins” was no walk in the park. Shooting spanned two years in some of Earth’s most challenging landscapes, forcing the team to brave subzero tempests, malfunctioning equipment, and six-day blizzards. While the initial episode highlights these harsh conditions, what remains unseen is the true extent of hardship experienced by Bertie and his crew.

The movie didn’t show what occurred afterwards, but our tents got torn apart due to the fierce wind and accumulating snow. We had to flee to our makeshift shelter, which were two old shipping containers previously used in an Antarctic research station. These containers stood on the ice, so we took refuge inside them for six days until the storm passed. We were cold, hungry, and somewhat miserable during that time.
However, I couldn’t help but think about those little penguin chicks who endured the same storm outside for all those six days. It’s quite incredible when you consider their resilience in such harsh conditions. Indeed, they are truly tough creatures.

The dedication to being present during the most intense situations contributes significantly to the series’ awe-inspiring realism.

Snowballs, Caves, and Cliff Dives: Penguin Behavior You’ve Never Seen

Secrets of the Penguins Revealed

Even when you believe there’s nothing new under the sun, “Secrets of the Penguins” unveils unexpected behaviors that reshape our perception of these fascinating creatures. One particularly astounding scene involves emperor penguin chicks plunging from a 50-foot ice precipice to embark on their inaugural swim.

As I gazed upon them, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of hundreds of emperor chicks marching towards the cliff edge, a spectacle that was etched in my memory. A wave of disbelief washed over me when I thought, “There’s no way they’re going to leap from there.” Yet, against all odds, they did. This remarkable instance served as the perfect ending for our inaugural episode, marking the start of something truly extraordinary.

Additional findings show Galapagos penguins exhibiting cunning strategies by snatching fish right from brown pelicans’ beaks and collaborating to herd prey through volcanic fissures. This behavior is both strategic and unprecedented. As Gregory explains, ‘It’s not just about working harder, it’s about working more intelligently.’ Indeed, it’s a classic case of David against Goliath.

Behaviors captured for Secrets of the Penguins

Emperor penguins practicing egg transfers with a snowball.
Emperor chicks navigating extreme icy weather conditions alone, using their beaks to climb, and diving off an ice shelf.
Hybrid penguin chicks born from rockhopper and macaroni penguins (appropriately nicknamed “rockaroni” chicks).
A rockhopper penguin battling off a sea lion.
The first footage of a hidden cave colony of African penguins.
Galapagos penguins stealing fish from brown pelicans.
Galapagos penguins teaming up to corral fish.

From Antarctica to the Galápagos: Penguins in Every Climate

Science Meets Spectacle

Contrary to common belief, penguins aren’t only found in frozen lands. Instead, they flourish surprisingly in desert environments and volcanic tropical regions as well.

Gregory points out that among the eighteen unique types of penguins, some inhabit lush volcanic islands filled with cacti – a rather surprising image for many when considering penguins.

The show, titled “Mysteries of the Penguins,” traverses various continents and climate regions, serving up an ever-fresh visual banquet. By exploring diverse penguin habitats, it delineates the species’ remarkable adaptability as well as their encountered hardships. This enlightening journey leads us to Cape Town, South Georgia Island, the Galapagos Islands, Namibia, and last but not least, Antarctica.

Nature documentaries frequently find themselves in a delicate situation as they strive to maintain scientific precision alongside engaging narratives. For instance, when it comes to Gregory and his crew traversing the globe to film penguins, their solution was to be flexible.

He chuckles, saying that penguins can’t read scripts, and it’s quite exasperating. Yet, if you invest your time, they reward you with insights that are utterly unexpected.

The team worked with smaller teams and an assortment of equipment, prepared to chase stories wherever they led. For example, the segment focusing on Galapagos penguins for episode 2 wasn’t completely coherent until editing. “They perform this incredible herding behavior to catch fish more effectively,” Gregory notes. “Capturing it was hectic, but when we pieced together underwater, surface, and aerial footage, it was breathtaking. It vividly demonstrates their actions.

In the second episode featuring Galapagos Penguins, they exhibit an extraordinary group behavior of herding fish into a compact mass. This is advantageous as it allows them to push the concentrated food to the surface when they free dive for eating. By doing this near the surface, they can consume more efficiently because they don’t need to hold their breath for extended periods. They also separate parts of the fish ball and chase them into the shallows where they hunt in the cracks of lava rocks, utilizing their environment effectively. Filming these events is challenging due to their swiftness and the difficult shallow water conditions that may lead to camera damage or exhaustion trying to keep up. The penguins are faster and more adept swimmers than I am.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that sometimes, the magic of filmmaking happens unexpectedly. It’s like trying to capture the perfect shot not just on land, but also underwater and from various heights – all at the same time. It’s a challenge, no doubt, chasing unpredictable actions as part of a team of camera people. But when I saw the final edit, with all the angles seamlessly combined, it was an exhilarating experience to witness the chaos falling into place and creating something truly remarkable.

The initial episode unfolds deep within Antarctica, offering viewers a glimpse into the challenging realm of emperor penguins. Each day is a struggle for existence here, and every triumph seems significant.

As a movie critic, let me share my personal experience: “For roughly two months, I followed these curious creatures, their colony our main stage. They embarked on an extraordinary journey, trekking towards the ocean and standing at the very edge of the sea ice. A suspenseful wait ensued for nearly four to five hours as they contemplated taking the plunge into the sea. Some ventured in, while many chose not to. However, the sea ice began to fracture, making our presence too risky, forcing us to retreat and seek safer ground. We thought our tale had reached its conclusion, but then, unexpectedly, I found myself flying a drone around a corner, stumbling upon an astonishing scene – hundreds of these creatures gathered at the precipice of a towering cliff. In that moment, I knew we had found our ending.

Gregory remarks, “Our final scene was the cliff dive,” but that pivotal moment transformed into the beginning of a grander adventure – the instant I realized we weren’t merely crafting another penguin docu-series; we were creating something truly extraordinary.

National Geographic’s Message of Conservation

You Can Explore, Learn, and Make a Difference, And Nat Geo Can Take You There

Fundamentally, “Secrets of the Penguins” transcends being merely a wildlife documentary. It serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate connection between human life and the well-being of our planet, even in remote locations like Antarctica. To Bertie Gregory, penguins are not just charming subjects for the camera that occasionally surprise us; they are potent symbols of ocean health.

Gregory explained during our Zoom meeting, as I sailed on the National Geographic Endeavour II through the Galápagos Islands with Lindblad Expeditions, that penguins serve as markers of ocean health. He emphasized that our well-being relies heavily on the health of these oceans. Though most penguins reside far from our homes, we share a connection due to our shared dependence on the oceans. Our prosperity is closely linked with the success of penguins.

As a movie buff captivated by the gripping tales of penguin survival spanning various continents in “Secrets of the Penguins”, I find myself deeply moved to ponder my impact on our shared ecosystem. My wish is for viewers to leave this series feeling energized and inspired by these incredible creatures, understanding that small everyday choices like food purchases, car usage, or clothing selections can make a significant difference – not just for penguins, but also for humanity as a whole. Each choice we make, whether it’s positive or negative, has an impact on our environment, and together, we have the power to create a more sustainable world.

In simpler terms, James Cameron, the executive producer, stresses the importance of careful observation and storytelling combined with scientific knowledge in bringing about genuine change. In his words, “You’re not just observing, you’re documenting. And that’s what excites me about these shows. When we delve into the deep ocean, everything we see and record contributes to the science of understanding.

Cameron further expresses that amazement, ignited by the sights displayed in this series as well as his personal encounters with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, inspires action. This begins with observing nature with a sense of wonder and exploration, no matter your location. As he puts it, “Watching something like Secrets of the Penguins sparks curiosity and wonder that you can translate into action.” He suggests, “Take your children outdoors to discover insects in a field. Even on a bustling city street, there’s nature waiting to be noticed. All it takes is looking.

In an engaging manner, both Gregory and Cameron express their expectation that the documentary titled “Secrets of the Penguins” will captivate audiences with unique, unseen footage, while simultaneously fostering a heightened sense of environmental accountability within viewers, an awareness that originates not in Antarctica or the Galápagos Islands, but in their own homes.

Where to Watch Secrets of the Penguins

Enjoy all three episodes of National Geographic’s Secrets of the Penguins now!

Secrets of the Penguins premiered on National Geographic and is available on Hulu and Disney+.

In terms of future plans for Disney and Nat Geo’s Secrets Of series and Bertie Gregory, he hinted at having some ideas during our chat. However, he added that revealing too much might attract the attention of Mickey Mouse, so he chose to leave us guessing instead.

2025-04-23 06:03