Quick Updates

Sorry I have not had time to write a full real update. The work has been
steadily increasing, though its certainly nowhere near full capacity yet
(we are probably working more like 6-8 hours instead of 10-12...).

The wind has been howling the last day or two. We had gusts up to 58 mph,
which is probably an underestimate since that anemometer is actually
blocked slightly from easterly winds, which happens to be the current wind
direction. Out at the bird blind by the penguin colonies the were
registering winds up to 67 mph yesterday afternoon and the winds only
increased overnight. Between that and an ever inquisitive sheathbill (bird)
deciding to peck at his reflection in every single window we have this
morning, it was a bit of a rough night for sleeping.

In other new, we have started range testing some of our VHF transmitters.
In simple terms that means we have some tags that emit a high frequency
beep that can only be heard by special receivers (its the same thing as
when you watch a nature documentary and see people with big headphones
walking through the forest with a big, multiprong antenna in their hands).
We have these handheld receivers, but we also have 2 permanent listening
stations on two of the hills around here, so we have to set those up and
calibrate them. We also try to figure out where exactly their coverage is
weakest, so we know that if we tag any animals in those areas, we may need
additional means to track their comings and going.

Otherwise its just continuing to set up and test gear, make sure we are
fully prepared for when things actually get going. We've continued to make
some good food- I made a shrimp and scallop scampi over linguini the other
night and we had a delicious group-cooked taco tuesday with some kind of
southwest style corn, sweet potato, garlic, onion, honey, and spices
filling. I will shoot for more real updates soon, but things will start to
get busy in the next week or so, so no promises.

Sorry this wasn't funny either. I try, but when I write in the morning my
brain is still working on just functioning. Also, we got word of the Paris
attacks the other day (we were a few days late). Our hearts definitely go
out to anyone connected to that area. There is never a just reason to
commit crimes like that. Sometimes its nice to check out from the world a
little down here...