Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/08/2013 - 16:16
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Arctic Sunlight and Microbial Interactions

Hey Mr. Taterka! How's your trip going so far? My question isn't really science related but I saw in your last journal you mentioned how the 4th of July wasn't celebrated until Saturday, and I was wondering what other kinds of differences there are where you are/if you thought it made an impact on you at all whether it be positively or negatively. I hope you're having a great time! - Meg Davis

Wed, 07/10/2013 - 20:27

Anonymous

Meg- great to hear from you! There are lots of differences between life at Toolik and being home. I'm living in a tent with roommates instead of my own house, only get 2 two-minute showers per week, and there's lots and lots of mosquitos. But the food is great, the view of the mountains is spectacular, and I'm doing and learning things I've never done before. All in all it's a great experience!

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 17:19

Anonymous

The trip sounds like a great experience and it's cool that you're having such a great time! Also I know you said there are tons of mosquitos, but I thought mosquitos really liked warm weather? Am I wrong or are these just a different kind of mosquito or something?- Meg Davis

Tue, 07/23/2013 - 08:24

Anonymous

Meg-
Everything that lives up here is adapted to the conditions, including the Mosquitos. They do fine in cool temps, but if it gets too cold or windy they scatter. They have no problem w temps in the 50 s though. I'm down in Denali national park now and there are hardly any Mosquitos at all, but lots of grizzly bears. Nice!
Mr. T

Tue, 07/23/2013 - 08:24

Anonymous

Meg-
Everything that lives up here is adapted to the conditions, including the Mosquitos. They do fine in cool temps, but if it gets too cold or windy they scatter. They have no problem w temps in the 50 s though. I'm down in Denali national park now and there are hardly any Mosquitos at all, but lots of grizzly bears. Nice!
Mr. T

Sun, 08/11/2013 - 11:38

Anonymous

Hi Mr. Taterka!I just read your most recent journal entry up to this point and I really loved your photos of the bears! My questions are not so much science related as they are about your favorite parts of the trip, but what has been your favorite place to visit so far? How long was the longest hike you've taken since arriving in Alaska? And, finally, what is your favorite animal or wildlife experience you've seen?
Thanks,
Kayleigh Yerdon

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 05:03

Bruce Taterka

Kayleigh-
Thanks for the questions. We took a 9-mile hike in Denali, which was beautiful, but I have to say that my favorite place to visit was Kenai Fjords National Park. Kayaking and camping out amidst the mountains and glaciers and otters and whales was an all-time spectacular experience.
That's one of the great things about being a field scientist - you get a chance to go to some of the coolest places on earth.
As for wildlife experiences, nothing compares to being out in the middle of Denali National Park, no one else around with mountains all around, watching grizzly bears playing and wrestling and rolling around on the tundra.
When it comes to scenery and wildlife, Alaska has it all. See you in September!
- Mr. T