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Lake Ecosystems in Antarctica

Robin, Without question, your video of diving under the ice is the best thing I have ever seen from PolarTREC program. You win. No contest. I mean, the close-ups of the Weddell seals with just their nostrils above the slush in the dive hole is the best. And being able to hear them breath!! I’m not worthy. Ok, let me calm down and get my jealousy under control.....

Ques #1. Have you seen any polar bears yet? (just kidding)

Ques #2 (actually it is still question #1) If Weddell seals can get to your dive hole, could you also encounter Ross, Crabeater and Leopard seals there?

Thanks for making memories for all of us!

Jeff Laughing

Thu, 10/23/2008 - 21:59

Robin Ellwood

Hello Jeff!Thanks for your kind comments! You'll be getting great video when you go seal wrangling yourself! I can't wait to see your footage! Being so close to the seals is an honor and an unbelievable experience. I now can officially say I've had seal breath spewed at me! They are such amazing animals; my time with them is simply too short!
In terms of the other seal species, I know that we are too far in from the ice edge to have much concern about leopard seals; they are primarily an ice edge species. I am currently uncertain about the Crabeater and Ross seals. I will track down the seal people and get an answer for you! I know Crabeater carcusses are found in the Dry Valleys, so we are in range of those. But, again, they may only be around when the ice edge is closer to McMurdo.
I bet you are getting super excited about your upcoming expedition. I'm getting super excited to follow along with you!
Hope you are well!
Cheers,
Robin 

Sun, 10/26/2008 - 21:05

Lizzie Whittenbury

 Hi Robin! Your cousin Lizzie here.   
I have a question about seals. Are there any Harp seals where you are in McMurdo? Your seal video was truly Amazing!! With the sound that you added it was like underwater fireworks minus the sparkles. The seals being the rockets dancing around.   And the hanging down ice below the surface was very impressive. Now since there are seals will you be seeing any whales such as Killer whales?? Or are they not around where you are? I will continue to read your journal entries enthusiastically and comment. I hope that you get the e-mail that I just sent to you. In the meantime Take Care! Hope to meet TAT sometime. 
Cheers,
Lizzie 

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 05:04

Robin Ellwood

Hi Lizzie,Great to hear from you! I did receive your email; let's catch up!
There are no harp seals in Antarctica - those are an arctic species. The "ice hanging down" under the ice is actually brine tubes. These are basically made of salt that is getting squeezed out of the ice as it freezes - aren't they impressive?
There are killer whales out by the ice edge, but we are quite a ways from the ice edge, so won't be seeing any killer whales. I would love to get to the ice edge sometime!
Glad you're enjoying the journal! Keep in touch!
Cheers,
Robin 

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:14

Lizzie Whittenbury

Hi Robin!  
Yes I got your email reply! Thanks!! You have more email.  We will indeed catch up. WOW! That is very interesting about the brine tubes. Oh well next time for the killer whales.  Hope that you do one day get to see them. Maybe one day you'll get to the Arctic and see harp seals and polar bears.   I hope that you did make it to the Dry Valleys! 
 
Cheers!
 
Lizzie 

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 20:27

Lizzie Whittenbury

 
YAY!!!
 
Lizzie