At the southern end of the Earth, after four months of total darkness, the sun once more rises over Antarctica. Now at last, the emperor penguins abandon their huddle. The males are still carrying the precious eggs that they’ve cherished throughout the Antarctic winter. With the returning sun, the eggs hatch. Other birds have not even arrived. But the emperors by enduring the long black winter have given their chicks a head start. These youngsters are now ready and eager to make the most of the brief Antarctic summer.