perspectives

Each research trip, each research experience, for me has been unique. This trip is no different, with new things to discover and new perspectives to consider. I mentioned before that I would be helping others out with their work for the second part of my trip, and it's been enlightening to see them in action more closely and to better understand (and appreciate!) what it is they do all day. It also allows me to see the trip through their eyes, and gain a little of their perspective.

Recently we had a farewell party for all those who are headed home soon, like me. Of course it's fun to talk with everyone over good food, drinks and dancing, even if it's not my playlist in the background. It's also fun to see what everyone is like in that environment, which is so different from our day-to-day. While many people are just what you'd expect from them at a party, others can really surprise you. I just think it's neat how different situations bring out such different sides of our personalities.

It's also fun to consider the perspectives of the animals seen down here. Their life histories are so far removed from our own, that it is hard to appreciate why those penguins leap into those heavy waves, or how the wandering albatross (see photo on right) is constantly at sea. We talk about what it would be like to be them, and each pick which life we'd want to experience ourselves. I was recently reminded that these species have typically spent as much time, or more, than we have, adapting to their environment and niche, which they specialize at so well. One cannot look down on them, but just look across, and try to appreciate something so foreign.

So, as I bid farewell to penguins, and start my return trip North, I will be thinking about the new perspectives I've gained on this trip, and what I can learn from them. I hope the trip back to Argentina and on to the States is a calm one. Whatever the weather, I will also be enjoying some simple, yummy brownies I recently acquired. :)

weather

Antarctica has weather. If you ever plan to go, expect at least one day with hurricane-force winds. On each of my trips, I've had at least one day with winds above 100 mph. Naturally, we don't go out in these conditions. We hunker down and take the chance to sort through photos, get some computer work or reading done, recharge batteries (internal & electronic), swap stories, watch from windows, and whatever else you want. It's very interesting to have these days where you are generally either on stand-by or break-mode - you have some freedom to do whatever you want within set confines, though what you generally do want to be doing is unavailable. And we wait for the weather to change.

It does change, of course. I've seen what's described as four seasons in a day. Though often it's all in an afternoon. From sun to clouds to rain to snow and back to sun. Winds picking up and dying down. We've had great days and crummy days, and we do our best with whatever comes. Schedules are reworked and plans are altered. This can be a barren, windswept land - and you know it. It's awe inspiring to be and to work, even for a short time, in such a place.

One can't help but wonder at the seabirds soaring above the southern ocean. For them, these winds are home, and they may even prefer to be swept over the sea by strong gales than to float on the breeze. It's a stark contrast to our own experience with wind and weather, we who came from such tropical climes.

P.S. - I had some yummy cookies today. No brownies, but I'll take it!

antarctic photography

Photography becomes a significant part of being somewhere like Antarctica. Whether documenting the experience or capturing beauty in nature, I like to take pictures. This wonderful world of ice only brings that to the surface. I sometimes feel limited by my equipment, but for the most part, what I have works. My pictures may not be ready for a magazine cover, but those close to me seem to enjoy them anyway. However, what I do miss this trip is video. On this trip, I am unable to record any 'moving pictures', and I miss very much. Because while still images can convey some of the beauty of this area, it is hard to capture the personality in still frames. (Mainly, it's the personalities of wildlife that I wish to cling to.)

For me, here, photographs risk becoming more document than art. This is where I was, this is what I saw. I am often too busy working to have the time, or even patience, to find those shots - pictures that capture amazing perspectives, personalities, or balance. Video fills some of that gap - it is a way to capture personality and experience to take home. Too bad I can't capture these in my way-too-plentiful-to-call-limited supply of pictures - the animals can truly fascinate and delight.

So, I will return to the theme of dirty chicks and give you two gentoos:



And if you want video, go check out that Gentoo escape from Orcas. If you haven't seen it, try http://failblog.org/2008/12/09/pengwin/ (If I were in that boat, I'd want to get the heck outta there, not hang around to see what the orcas did next!)

going for a swim

"Swimming" in Antarctica - it does happen, in a variety of ways. Although for me, the word swim would be quite an exaggeration. I was able to visit Deception Island, which is actually a volcano. It is one of a chain of islands formed by volcanic activity related to tectonic movements along a subduction zone, where the Pacific continental plate is overrun by the Antarctic Plate. The rim of the volcano forms the island, partially covered in glaciers, with a gap in one section. This gap is "Neptune's Bellows" - our entryway to the island, which has allowed seawater to flood the collapsed caldera of the volcano. The volcano was most recently active in the late 1960s and in 1970. Before then, it was once a large whaling station, a central part of Antarctic whaling. Two scientific stations are active on Deception in the summers. Also present are the remains of other stations, destroyed to various degrees by the eruptions.

Along the outside of the Deception Island rim, chinstrap penguins nest in huge numbers. However, no penguins breed on the interior shores of Deception Island. The water at the shoreline can be extremely hot, heated by the volcano. You can sometimes see the steam rising up from the shoreline, along the thin section where water is shallow and the heat isn't diluted by the cold ocean tides. The steam is most prevalent at low tide. At Pendulum Cove, we tried the water out and went for a dip. The shallow water was quite comfotable, though the water temperature dropped quickly around a depth of 16-18 inches, quite near the shore. In essence, I waded in the waters, and sat down in shallow water to let the waves wash up over me. And now, I have truly immersed myself in the Antarctic Waters. Considering it is Superbowl Sunday, I decided to show my allegiance from this distant part of the world.

The work has gone smoothly, and the wonders of Antarctica are all around. I'm having a wonderful trip, and hope everyone at home is doing well.