Today marks the last day of science stations. We will likely finish here this evening and then make our way to a mooring site (more on that in another journal). When I look at the map of our travels, it looks like a big lasso. What seemed like a long journey ahead quickly met the halfway point, and now we are looking at completion. I was asked today, while sieving mud in a lot of snow and wind, what my favorite part of the trip has been. As I pondered this question, I came to the realization that I can't pick just a single favorite. This expedition has stretched me in so many ways and exposed me to so many things I never even imagined being a part of. Polar bears, walruses, and the ribbon seal were highlights, but so were seeing life on the bottom of the seafloor via the ROV or viewing a ciliate-infected copopod under the microscope!
There is still much science to be done, and today's photos will highlight some of the expedition's work.
Anemone. Photo courtesy of Film Microcosm
Bythocaris - benthic shrimp. Still from ROV footage. Courtesy of Katrin Iken.
Polychaete worm. Still from ROV footage. Courtesy of Katrin Iken
Sclerocrangon - benthic shrimp
PolarConnect Event
The expedition scientists and I will be hosting a PolarConnect event on August 8th. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the expedition and to ask questions of the scientists. The event is free, but registration is necessary. Here is the link. https://www.polartrec.com/polar-connect/register
Question and Answer
Mystery Photo: I'm going to wait another day to provide the answer to the mystery photo.