27 May 2011 Live from Antarctica - 3 times!

Today was a busy day! I had two live video conferences with students from my school and a webinar. Thanks to all that joined. Your questions were interesting and it was great to share what I am doing and all the amazing things down here with you all. First, the student that asked if the fish with hemoglobin could survive longer outside of the water than the fish without hemoglobin because the icefish can't carry as much oxygen in its blood. I talked it over with Kristin and Lisa, the primary scientists on this research. They made the point that in addition to ability to carry oxygen and the health of the animal (the things we talked about in the webinar) their is a question of metabolism and how much demand for oxygen the fish has. It turns out that while the N. coriiceps can carry more oxygen, it also has a much higher metabolism and needs more oxygen. Great question, but there is no clear cut answer. Thanks again for all of your questions and for joining me.

So, in light of the fact that I pretty much talked from 10am to 2pm - that's a lot even for me! - I'm going to take an easy route for my journal today and post some pictures of the penguins that I happened across the other day as I went for a walk. It was a beautiful day so I bundled up and took a long hike up the glacier and the island that is safe and not closed. I had heard rumors that penguins like to hang by the water. At one point, I was standing by the water. It was silent except for the seals a little ways a way. I saw some snowed over penguin tracks but saw nothing. Hmmmm. Thinking maybe I would be out of luck I admired the view of the mountains and the water and as I turned to look on my right - there they were - four penguins, silently watching me. I was the one being stalked and watched.

Hah! Anyway, they were most cooperative as I took their pictures and the longer I stood there watching, more penguins started showing up! I'm sure you will enjoy these shots. They are Gentoo penguins. There is a really good article in the May 10 New York Times that I would encourage all of you to read about penguins and the changing climate right down here where I am. Enjoy...