Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 06/13/2007 - 12:53
Forums
Kuril Islands Biocomplexity

Hi Ms. Nikula,

For my assinment quesion:

What was the funnest thing that you did last time on your trip??? What was the worst? How long do u think ur going to keep going to the Kuril Islands? Also what type of animals are there, on the different places?

From Roberta Scott 

Thu, 06/14/2007 - 13:37

Misty Nikula

Roberts -I would say that the thing that was the most fun last year was our trip to the Russian Hot Springs on the north end of Iturup.  They were SO beautiful and relaxing!  I hope that we get a chance to go again to some others......
I would say that the worst thing on my trip was the times that we didn't have as much to do and need I say, we were a bit bored.....especially when we were bored AND stuck on the ship.  We won't be on the ship as much this year, so hopefully that won't be a problem.....
I am hopeful that I would be able to go again to the Kurils in the summer of 2008, but that depends on a LOT of things that are out of my control - like funding from the US government and that the scientists would WANT me to go... That would definitely be the last time, though, because that is the last year of the project.
There are lots of different kinds of birds and fish on and around the islands.  There are also marine mammals (Dr. Etnier's favorite) such as sea otters, fur seals, sea lions and even whales.  There are only a few larger animals on the land - some foxes and on the northernmost and southernmost islands only - bears.  We won't be working in bear areas this year, though, so that is lucky.
Ms Nikula