Blood Suckers!!!
Yesterday, I spent 15 hours on the tundra collecting data. The day started with the machine not working after I lugged it all the way out to the Old Basin. Unfortunately, I couldn't fix it in the field so I had to lug it back to the lab. That set me back 3.5 hours! Thankfully, the sun stays out 24/7 and I could work until 11pm. Today, I had to collect the data at the Ancient Basin. Luckily, it was a lot warmer; almost 60 degrees Fahrenheit. HOWEVER, there was NO wind today so that brought out the huge pterodactyls, um I mean mosquitoes! These mosquitoes were HUGE and there were thousands swarming around me. Thankfully, I had a mosquito net for my face and I kept all of my other layers on. Even with the netting and the layers, I still got bit numerous times. Today was definitely not one of my favorite days on the tundra; I would have rather had the wind/cold than the monster mosquitoes!
Me wearing my mosquito net. No, those are not specks of dust on your computer...those are all mosquitoes!! They were vicious blood-suckers!!
Interesting News Report
I am attaching a link to an interesting news report about the melting sea ice, which is causing polar bear cubs to drown. There are a couple of good videos at the bottom. If you have any questions or comments about the video, add them to the "Ask the Team" section.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43798896/ns/us_news-environment/
Fairbanks and Denali National Park
Tomorrow I am flying to Fairbanks! I am extremely excited as I have rented a car and will be traveling to Denali National Park and staying there for 3 days and 2 nights. I will be experiencing some amazing adventures in the next few days. You will definitely have to stay tuned to the journals to see all of the excitement and pictures!
As you know, the sun does not set up here this time of year. By looking at the sun, what time do you think it is?
Fact of the Day
Yesterday's Fact of the Day Answer: What is Alaska's largest city? Anchorage
Today's Trivia: What are the big chunks of ice that fall off of a glacier called? Hint - it sounds like a baby farm animal being born…
Inuit Word of the Day
Yesterday's Word: Ippaksaq = yesterday Hint: Not tomorrow or today, but……. (unit of time)!!! Did you get it right?
Today's word: siqiniq - Hint: I've been seeing a lot of this lately!!! What is the word of the day?
Please take 2 seconds and reply with your guesses to the fact of the day or Inuit word of the day in the "Ask the Team" section link below:
http://www.polartrec.com/forum/microbial-activity-in-thawing-arctic-permafrost/fact-of-the-day-or-inuit-word-of-the-day-guess