Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/30/2007 - 14:41
Forums
Greenland Seabird Ecology

Hi MaryAnne!

I'm envisioning nice cold temps as the thermometer here goes over 100...How is CJ doing? Is he having fun doing research? I haven't seen any pictures of him in his polar clothes, so I'm assuming his coat is enough? Went to a 3 day reading workshop last week..am telling you this so you'll know that we aren't all lying by a pool doing nothing until next week...speaking of next wek, I know you're going to be thinking of all of us as we attend the beginning of the year party Thursday, and the staff development all dayer on Friday...it's hard to believe August begins so soon. I've enjoyed your journal writings and the pictures. Just wanted you to know you're being thought of "warmly" here! Can't wait till you return so we can get started on the school garden!

Love,

Sarah  

Tue, 07/31/2007 - 16:12

Mary Anne Pell…

Hi Sarah, I have been wondering if anyone has looked up my expedition- I know you are probably just at the pool. No I know how many teachers are NOT at a pool, but like me, spend a good portion of the summer working on some kind of professional development that will improve their classroom. I do recall you were at a conference in Nevada already, and spent a week working with junior high and high school students with Inquiry connections. So I know you are using your time well.
I can’t believe school starts next week. I am scheduled to be home on Aug. 9, and will attend the staff development day on August 10. Then go home and sleep. If I can. My internal clock is pretty goofed up. Yesterday I went to sleep from 8:30 AM until 1:30 AM, worked, took a nap from 8:30 PM until 1:30 AM, and then woke up for my shift at the bird colony. Up at the colony at 3 AM, three of us set out noose carpets to recapture banded and painted little auks.
They had been injected with double-labeled water 24 hours prior, and now we needed to get a blood sample for analysis. Thirty were originally tagged and sampled; now we are hoping for recapture of 15. As soon as they are held, blood samples are taken in capillary tubes, the bird's bands are removed and it is released. Then, in a little bird blind tent, the glass tubes are flame sealed with a propane torch and labeled for transport.
Even though the birds tend to go back to the same rocks, they are skillful at deciding to perch on every other rock then the one we have set the trap on. After 7 hours yesterday morning (or was it this morning) yes, it was this morning, we had only checked off 3 birds. The guys have been up there all day, and we return again at 2 am. We need to recapture within 48 hours.
I have no idea how my body will readjust to the school schedule. Spending some time just gardening sounds good to me. I’m ready to get started, I hope the maintenance team was able to complete the work order and put in our irrigation system. See you soon.
 

 
CJ with a little auk. 

 CJ, Ann, and Rachael playing with the dog.