Seals, Penguins, and Skuas! Oh My!

I know I've been really, really lazy about this blog folks. I'm sorry, but since I switched to night shift it's been very hard to get into a computer. Now I have access to the wireless network at Crary Lab and I'll be able to keep up a lot better.
The biggest thing I have to report right now is that the fringe benefits of working at the lab are finally starting to kick in. Last week I got to go to Cape Royds, normally off limits, under the guise of a diver retrieving some instruments. Little did the paperwork know that 14 members of the Crary Science Support Staff (including the janitors) were going to 'help' Rob get the current sensors out from under the ice. As many of you don't know, Cape Royds is the historic point where Sir Ernest Shackleton set up camp for his 'Nimrod' expedition and several of his men spent the winter. It was also the headquarters of his attempt at reaching the South Pole when he got to within 100 miles, but had to turn back or die. Of course, the visiting politians stole the key to the hut, so we didn't get to go inside. But that didn't bother most of us too much, because right outside the hut is a colony of 1500 Adelie Penguins! Without further ado, here is what you all have been waiting for: pictures of penguins.
This little guy was the first penguin ever laid eyes on

Looking Stoic and Cute at the Same time?

Crary Lab Janitorial Staff aka the J-Crib (pictured in front of Bairn Glacier Shelf)

Here's a video of one little guy trying to decide when to jump.


Here's me in front of three seals.

Crary Science Support Staff

More Penguins

Just a-froliking

Taryn the Day Jano tries to win the photo contest of the Telluride Daily Planet Newspaper

The colony is protecting the eggs they have laid and the chicks that have hatched, but this dastardly skua waits for an opportune moment.

The fenced in area you see in several photos is how the research team studies the foraging habits of the animals. A known number of breeding pairs have been fenced in and implanted with RFID chips. The 'Penguin Ranch' has only one entrance and exit, and whenever an animal enters or exits, a computer reads which individual it is and the animal steps on a presice scale. This enables the beakers to figure out which penguins are eating and how much. It also gives them insight into whether the male or female does more foraging and when. Anyhow, it's about my bed time, so I'll leave you with the promise that it won't be two months before my next entry.
Take care!