<p><a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/emperor-penguin/?source=podinline">Emperor penguins</a> are Olympian swimmers, capable of diving to 1,750 feet and remaining underwater 20 minutes on a single breath. "I was mesmerized by their beautiful bubble trails," says Nicklen, who braved 28°F water to capture these images.</p> <p><i>See more <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/11/emperor-penguins/nicklen-photography?source=podrelated">pictures</a> from the November 2012 feature <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/11/emperor-penguins/hodges-text?source=podrelated">story</a> "Escape Velocity."</i></p>

Emperor Penguins, Antarctica

Emperor penguins are Olympian swimmers, capable of diving to 1,750 feet and remaining underwater 20 minutes on a single breath. "I was mesmerized by their beautiful bubble trails," says Nicklen, who braved 28°F water to capture these images.

See more pictures from the November 2012 feature story "Escape Velocity."

Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic

Photo of the Day: Best of October 2012

View the most popular Photo of the Day images from October 2012, from National Geographic.

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