A lively procession of king penguins shuffles along in stark contrast to a moody backdrop. Penguins have always struck me as stubborn optimists braving one of Earth’s most unpredictable landscapes. Between the treacherous currents of the Southern Ocean, frigid temperatures, and the more recent challenges posed by climate change, life in the Polar South is a constant test of endurance. And yet, the racket that followed this small parade and filled the air around me was nothing but joyful. Each bird marched with their chest puffed and wings proudly lifted at their sides.