It's been a good day in the north. We were up, briefed and out by 8.30. This time we travelled inland around 20 miles to a mixed conifer woodland beside two lakes called, creatively, Twin Lakes.
Like yesterday we measured seedlings. I worked with Barbara, from Hamburg, we get on well together and in the wood, out of the wind it was a much nicer task. Actually today the temperature hit 7 centigrade but I think it's the calm before the storm due tomorrow.
In the woodland we found a red squirrel, birds that I frustratingly couldn't identify and fresh moose tracks but no moose... or bears.
Out in the woods
GPR at a PPP... This afternoon I got to have a go at GPR, Ground Penetrating Radar, measuring the depth of permafrost under a Polygonal Peat Plateau... no point in trying to explain except to say it makes your back ache but is more fun than measuring seedlings. And we saw snow buntings and grey jays.
Three of us including boss man Peter Kershaw (carrying a pistol for the elusive polar bears) finished the day with an hours run across the tundra. It was the best part of the day, the sun was beginning to set and we saw the most gorgeous arctic hare, already pure white apart from black ear tips. We also found parts of several rockets that were launched from the site in the 70's and early 80's before it was handed over to the Study Centre.
Outside the Study Centre
Saturday tomorrow but we'll be up for the days briefing at 7.00 and, if the snow hasn't arrived, back out measuring seedlings.
hey bob...was wondering how the beard was a) helping with keeping your chin warm and b) if it helps with the credibility given the look soooo much like you fit in on a trek...ou ou and there's a c) that everyone just expects you to know what ALL bird and animals are no matter that you are in a different continent (ie cut yourself some slack - only you could be frustrated by not knowing that...mind you i did see a barn owl yesterday about as exotically close as i ever got to a golden eagle)...DONT you think you should be doing this sort if thing like all the time???
Anyway its Saturday Yeahhh! William Gallas told the papers that chelsea will have won title by January...difficult to argue with that but me thinks it adds fuel to the "buying the title" argument...anyway Mr Abramovich has just got about £5bn more wealthy in CASH coz the Russian Govt have bought back most of what he ripped them off for to get wealthy...so chelsea will probably be able to buy a World Cup in years to come...did you do challenge lawro yet??? Im thinking a goal fest at Sunderland...3-2 to the Hammers
catch you soon...enjoy the snow...
love chris xxx
ps does he actually know how to shoot the pistol? You know what Michael Moore said about carrying a weapon to protect your self...90% of the time the gun gets used back on the owner by the attacker...and most of the rest of the time someone shoots a family member...so i am thinking go running with people who are slower than you and just RUN (there's a joke in there isnt there???) x