Sorry, three's a crowd! Antarctic interloper interrupts romantic penguins 'holding hands'


It might be chilly outside, but this snowy snap of a penguin couple holding hands is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.

The perfect pair enjoyed a romantic clinch, opting for a moment of solitude while dozens of other penguins gathered nearby.

In fact, as one interloper approached the penguins, who looked almost like humans holding hands, appeared to give the freezing cold shoulder - and he continued trudging by.



The heart-warming display of affection took place in Port Lockroy, a natural harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula. It was captured on camera by professional photographer Silviu Ghetie.

'What are you two up to? Oh, holding hands again': Lonely heart approaches the couple and seeing they are only interested in themselves, moves switfly on



The pair stand hand in hand appearing to stare out at the dramatic vista of the frozen Antarctic landscape. Their heads tilted slightly toward one-and-other, they look as if they are feeling the quiet drama that love brings to inner life.



Then, still holding each other, they wander down to the icy waters and the rest of their friends.



Photographer Mr Ghetie, 43, from Baia Mare in Romania, usually takes pictures of people but he couldn't resist snapping this magic moment while on a polar expedition.

He said: 'This is the first wildlife picture I have ever taken but it's actually very apt because it just goes to show you can find the same patterns in both nature and people.

'I started taking pictures primarily because I was amazed by the landscape. The light and the atmosphere was really interesting.

'Then as I walked forward the two penguins came into view.