...it's bird poop! When thousands of birds become startled and soar as a squadron overhead, they leave behind evidence of their flight. On us, around us, on our gear, and in our hair.
Ann Harding
Ann Harding next to bird blind, showing off her field attire.*
It is only one of the side benefits of this sort of field work, that Ann didn’t mention to me. After 9 days, though, I only minimally notice it, and no one else even reacts to it. Every once in a while, a pink splat lands on a pant-covered knee; that’s a piece of food from a Little auk who stuffed his mouth a bit too full. Laundry is done weekly, using biodegradable soap at the lakeshore and hung up on a line. With Tyr still a puppy, there have been a few incidences of garments found in shreds and a guilty smirk on her face. But the clothes still need to be washed. Let it be known now, when I return to Wayne Lane, I get washing machine priority. I wonder if I need to launder everything before I return it to Polartrec? I doubt that any other trekkers will have the same pattern of wear on their polar gear as I have. Maybe it’s a form of art, and the clothing would be best donated to an anthropological society.
Bearded Seal
Mary Anne out on the sea ice after the team field trip, to photograph a huge bearded seal.
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