A Beautiful Walk in the Backyard

Overlooking Hero Inlet which is covered with fast ice. Seals like to haul out on the fast ice. We are looking at a mama Weddell seal and her pup Bubba (far left about halfway up picture).

Mama and Bubba relaxing in the sunshine (can you see Bubba lying down beside mom with head towards her tail)?

 A view from the top of the glacier.

Looking from glacier down towards Palmer Station, the ship, lots a sea ice and the local islands.

USAP Ships

These are the 2 US Antarctic Program ships that are used for research and transporting people, gear and goods to Palmer station. This photo taken a week ago when we were in Chile shows the Nathanial B Palmer (left) which is an icebreaker and spends weeks to months at sea doing research. And on the right is the baby sister, the Laurence M Gould with an ice-enforced hull, that predominately transports people and stuff between Puenta Arenas, Chile and Palmer Station as well as doing some research trips. Once the Gould leaves Palmer Station in a few days and returns to Puenta Arenas she will sit at dock with her sister until the government starts to work again.

Palmer Station, Antarctica .... again

Hi all ... so I'm back at Palmer for another summer season. Arrived a few days ago after an uneventful crossing of the infamous Drake's Passage. Here at station the big news is that the shutdown of the U.S government has resulted in Palmer Station going to "caretaker" status meaning no money to support science. What this means is that most people are leaving soon to head north except for about 12 essential personnel to keep the station running and the people safe. I will be staying, of course, as the doctor, along with a cook, power plant manager, handymen, station manager, someone from IT, comms and logistics. We are hoping this won't last the whole summer season ... time will tell. In the meantime, I am enjoying being back on station, seeing old friends, and watching a new born Weddell seal slither around on the ice ....

Leaving Palmer

Tomorrow I am leaving Palmer Station and Antarctica. Heading north, back to Punta Arenas, Chile and then on to Santiago, Dallas and finally Southern California. What an amazing time I have had. So many amazing experiences. Here are some final images from Station.

 The station cat. He likes cocoa puffs.

Icefish. These fish do not have hemoglobin, and thus their only source of oxygen is what is dissolved in their blood. Since they live in very cold waters, their blood is very cold and can carry much more dissolved oxygen than we can.

Early morning with the LM Gould (on the left) lighting up an iceberg and the NB Palmer (lights to the left of the iceberg) in Arthur Harbor after a visit to station.

The Last Month

WOW! A month has passed since my last post. What have I been doing? Keeping busy. Forgetting to post. Watching the days gets shorter, colder, windier and wetter. Also ...

A tall ship visited Station.

I helped with Giant Petrel chick research.

I finally polar plunged on St Patty's day.

 I helped the divers.

I got out for a zodiac cruise in between storms and had one of the most amazing few hours.

Blubber, Fur and Feathers

A Weddell seal enjoying the sunshine.

A fur seal taking a scratch break before heading back in the water to eat krill.

An adult Adelie penguin looking scruffy while molting.

Baby Birds

Penguin chicks aren't the only little birds we have around Palmer Station. We have ... 

sheathbill chicks - look how the face is just like mama's (or is it papa?)

The sheathbills are the only birds here without webbed feet. They feed on penguin poop, carcasses and what everelse is lying around. There are about 8 living on station, but only one couple hatched an egg and had a chick. Near station there are also ...

 

southern giant petrel chicks. This downy chick is on its own while the parents feed. Other birds will not go after the chick because if they get close the chick will spit out stomach oil that damages bird feathers. 

 

Southern giant petrel adults. 

Their wingspan can reach up to 7 feet.