Above is a movie created last November at Palmer Station depicting the ritualistic "Polar Plunge" for the LMG homebound passengers.

The Dread of the Drake

After four days at sea, the winds finally diminished and we were able to safely move about the bow and deck outside.  Nature's wrath had transformed into calmness and beauty as we approached the tip of South America.  

A Bugger Reunion

We were able to meet up with our fifth member of the Buggers research team, Yuta Kawarasaki in Punta Arenas, Chile.  He will be heading to Palmer Station, Antarctica on the next LMG cruise.  

The End of the Road

Here is my favorite Antarctic landscape photo.  I took it from Old Palmer Island near Palmer Station.

My final hike up the backyard glacier

My Final Hike in the Backyard

A Goodbye Waltz

Stay Tuned...

We will return the same way we came on the Lawrence M. Gould icebreaker ship (LMG).  We are moved onto the ship, and we will leave when the weather conditions are good.  Though I am leaving Antarctica, there will be plenty more posts added to the blog when I return home.  Bon Voyage!  

Exploring the Ocean with Gliders

Ecology of the Keystone Species: Krill

Microbial Oceanography

Ecology of Sea Birds

How to Use Gigapan

Go on a Gigapan Scavenger Hunt!

Locate the following items within the Gigapan image above.  When you find all 8 challenges, leave me a message on the blog.  I'll add your name to the Gigapan Wall of Fame!

This Palmer Station sign displays the distance and direction of the other US research stations.   We are 1744 miles from the South Pole!  

Station Tours

The passengers of the Ocean Nova cruise ship recently toured the station.  The scientists meet the passengers and answer questions about their research.  

 
Bark Europa

When the Bark Europa visited, we were able to tour their incredible ship and meet with passengers at the station.

We are the Visitors

Some ships are too large to visit the station.  So we visit them on board!  Here is the Veendam cruise ship.

The Drifting Visitor

Animals Visit Us Too!

Below is a video I made of an elephant seal crawling onto shore at the station.  He stayed in the area for about two days.

In early January I took this photo.

How to Explore the Gigapan Image

Above I am using a Gigapan to take a 360 degree image of Antarctica from Torgerson Island (see image below).  I want to thank Paul Queior for his assistance with using this incredible technology at Palmer Station.

How to Explore the Gigapan Image

Step #1:   Go Full Screen

Go on a Gigapan Scavenger Hunt!

THE BUGGERS
Dr. Shin Goto, Natalie Harr, Dr. Richard Lee and Dr. Dave Denlinger (left to right)

Photo by Dr. Richard E. Lee Jr.

The adults of Belgica antarctica live for only 10 days during the Antarctic summer.  Although they are the largest Antarctic land animal, they only measure 3-4 mm in length!

Photo by Dr. Richard E. Lee, Jr.

In its two-year life cycle, Belgica antarctica undergoes complete metamorphosis.  It spends most of its time in its larval stage (above).  

Drumroll PLEASE!

Dr. "Rick" Richard Lee 

This is Dr. Lee's 8th trip to the Antarctic.  He is a Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Miami University, Ohio.  He specializes in entomology and adaptations of cold-blooded animals to survive in winter and in polar regions.

Dr. Dave Denlinger

Dr. Denlinger is a Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State University.  Work in his home laboratory focuses on molecular physiology of insect overwintering.  This is his 4th trip to Antarctica, and he has also worked in Africa and Central America.  

Dr. Shin Goto

Dr. Goto is currently on the faculty of Osaka City University, Japan.  He was a previous postdoctoral fellow in the Denlinger laboratory at Ohio State.  His research focuses on insect overwintering and the function of clock genes. 

Miss Natalie Harr (Nature Nat)

Miss Harr is a first grade teacher in Mantua, OH and serves as the team's educational outreach coordinator.  With her master's degree in Biological Sciences, she is connecting her school district as well as 30 other districts nationally with current Antarctic research.

Field Collecting 

We travel to several local islands and collect samples of Belgica antarctica using simple tools.  

The wingless fly lives in the substrate between the soil and the rocks.   In some places the adults and larvae are abundant.  But in others, few or none can be found. 

As we collect Belgica, we see other plants and animals living on the islands.

Once we return to the station, we immediately get Belgica ready for experiments. 

Our Research

Our experiments this year focus in two areas.  First, we are trying to determine whether larvae survive the winter by freezing or by dehydrating.  A fifth member of our research team, Yuta Kawarasaki, will be here from February to May studying this question.  Secondly, we are investigating whether adults and larvae can use changes in the length of daylight through the year to time their preparations for winter survival.

And, since there are no Walmart or Target stores nearby, I had to be extra careful to pack all the essentials for my six week adventure.   I was very happy to receive help from Crestwood Middle School students below!

Crestwood middle school students have been learning about Antarctica's remote environment.  They helped me brainstorm items to pack for my scientific polar mission!  Thanks for helping me gear up for my trip!

The Zodiac Boats

This is a zodiac boat.  It holds 6-8 people comfortably to travel to and from the local Antarctic islands.  Before we can use the boats, we must pass some safety courses first.  

Safety is Priority

When working in Antarctica, safety is of the utmost importance.  Check out some of the hazards described above.

Antarctic Safety Training

Our first safety course taught us basic survival skills in case we have difficulty making it back to the station from the islands.   

Zodiac Time 

Man Overboard Drill

Below I made a movie of our "man overboard" drill.  While boating in the zodiac, we pretended a large bag in the water was a passenger overboard.  We all work together to rescue the victim.  First, we radio Palmer station for backup and point to the victim at all times so we don't lose sight in the icy waters.  Last, we align the boat carefully so we can pull the victim back on board to safety.  Once we mastered this skill, we practiced with real people overboard too!

Out and About on the Zodiacs

Below is a short movie highlighting our scenic boat ride  from Torgeson Island to Palmer Station.  Dr. Lee is driving the zodiac while I scan the waters for hazards.  This first sunny day brings the water to life!

Crabeater Seals

Here are some photographs I took from the zodiac the same day.  I really like learning about the Antarctic seals.  Do you?