Survival Training for V3 Expeditioner's

Well it is starting to get colder and darker again as the sun is actuall setting these days which is a bit of a novelty. As you can see it is often rather spectacular as the above shot was taken on the sandy beach of Lake Stinear (eastern side). Below are some of the windswept shapes that are created on Lake Dingles northern shore.

 The Fjord ice is starting to refreeze as flat Gris Ice as the shorter overcast days reduce the melt and start the reforming of a solid platform. Below is just a very cool textured rock with grains of sand stuck in its cracks!

 Another sunset this time from just outside the Mess looking South over Marchants Landing and the jetty.

Crab Eater Bashed by Elephant!

 I was also delegated the job of guided walker for the afternoon to get some of the overnighter’s (tourists) off the base and out into Antarctica proper. This was done in the form of a walk to the Old Wallow to look at the Elephant seals and their old, old pile of poo. Great spot but a bit on the nose and we made sure to stop downwind for a cup of tea and a biscuit. While down there we also saw a little Crab-eater seal that was bashed up on the beach near the station a few days ago by a much bigger Elephant seal. Bashed is an understatement and it was thought that the bigger seal had probably broken his jaw by engulfing his head and smashing him into the ground. It was feared that he would already be dead but he seems to be healthy and just relocated after feeling a bit sorry for himself. Here is hoping that he goes through his malt and makes a speedy recovery. It really was stupid to attack something that is at least ten times you size though. Gotta admire his courage but he was likened to a little Jack Russel fighting a German Sheppard.

 Some washed up crustaceans on the way to the Wallow and a camoflaged elephant seal hidding in thousands of years of piled up poo and fur!

 Art fellow recording the sounds of the Old Wallow. You could do the same at home by just burping, farting and general load groaning!

Spawn of the Sea Urchin's

 Here in the Lab Mel is looking at Baby Sea Urchins which are being studied as they are a good indicator species. Below are some of the cut up Urchin's that they have removed the sex cels from to make more baby urchins.

 Urchin's are dried out and then stored which is a little smelly! Some are preserved in alcohol but it is not a good idea to drink it and below are some of the baby Urchin's that are being photographed under the microscope.

The baby Urchin's are then subjected to more acidic mater to see what happens to their shells and development this is best likened to burning them with acid! The acid eats away at their shells which would not be that much fun. Does anyone think they would like to be burnt alive for science?

Rock Star for a Day!

 ‘Rock Star’ for a Day! In the Helicopter by 08:10 and off for a half day whirlwind walk and sampling tour from Crooked Lake Apple to Watt’s Hut via every lake and piece of moss we could find. I say ‘Rock Star’ as that is a little like how I would imagine it to feel for the best of the best having helicopters on standby waiting for the call to extract the ‘Rock Stars’ from one place to another over and over. Above is that a Rock Star or Conan the Barbarian? Below some funky Lichen that was sampled.

 More Funky Lichen and below is some of the Moss. Unfortunately there are not many actual Rock Star photo's as I was busy being the Star!

 ‘Rock Star’ back on centre stage as the chopper came in for our extraction again under full power heightening general anxiety of the scientists but getting them on board safely with all of our kit! On the way back the pilot took us over another sight that was something he had a question about as it was a lake that was literally red in colour. Possibly from the algae but we seized the opportunity to get a couple of samples whilst out under the spinning blades! Keeping scientists out of harm’s way while under spinning helicopter blades can be likened to herding chickens. They don’t always do what you think is safe, or realise that they make the pilot very nervous near the back of the helicopter! Anyway samples and scientists on board and off to Davis again touching down at 13:45 under full power before the helicopter took off again with its next load of passengers. More chicken herding and back to safety feeling a little high strung and not exactly in a relaxed teaching frame for SAR training of mechanical advantages and hauling!

Still winding down after a big day on the stage with true ‘Rock Star’ status gained (please note that this status is self appointed and only to be used in the context of making a good story). A very successful day on the whole, completing a fast and furious science sampling program before the arrival of the boat on Voyage Three.