Research Routine
Each morning I rise early and greet the day with a black cup of coffee, a few yoga stretches and a brisk three mile walk to the main research cabin. These morning walks are usually free of rain and the surrounding mountains and tundra are bathed in a gentle light, so soft compared to the intense, searing light that I am used to in New Mexico.
At the cabin, we gather our equipment; i-pads, methane analyzer (50 pounds! Poor Meghan), tubing, carbon traps, computers and so much more – all of which needs to be carried across very narrow board walks for about a half mile one way. I am building up my arm muscles and my balance.
Meghan Taylor Hauling Methane Analyzer
Karen Temple Beamish Hauling Wood for Boardwalk FIx
Today, I helped with the berry count and depth to water table. Michael Duric worked on NDVI and systems check, while Meghan Taylor worked out the kinks in the new Methane analyzer. Emily Romano and Marguerite Mauritz continued to work on collecting the CO2 for the radiocarbon analysis. Routines are established, schedules are set and everyone pitches in when trouble arises.
Our Special Visitors
I have been hoping to see a grizzly all summer as I have traveled up to Alaska. Today was my lucky day! Not one but two bears - young ones, who when they heard us shout, bounded away. It looks like they have a radio collar on.
Young Grizzly
Other animals (not quite so glamorous) that visited me today are a pair of ravens and a beautiful spider. Perhaps my student Wilhelm, the entomologist can identify the spider for me.
Raven Visitor
Tundra Spider
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