Journal of a Sabbatical

February 9, 2000

and so, ladies and gentlemen...

Today's Bird Sightings:
herring gull
ring billed gulls
American crow
rock dove
house sparrow
red tailed hawk

Today's Reading: Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin

I'm back. I left Stanley, Falkland Islands at 9:15 AM yesterday and arrived at my house at noon today. I have been in 1 bus, 4 airports/airplanes, and one taxi. Some of my clothes smell like penguin guano - just ask the Agriculture Department sniffing dog at the Miami Airport. I do not know how many or few hours of sleep I have had since yesterday, but I do know that I am way too tired to do much else today. Besides that, Wilbur insists on sitting on my shoulder at all times, which makes it hard to type. That said, here are a few choice scenes of Antarctica for your viewing pleasure. Many more, and some good stories, to come once I get over the penguin-lag.

Gentoo penguin at Cuverville Island preening itself

The gentoo penguin welcoming committee at Cuverville, and some ice of course.

A really really happy Wedell seal at Selvik Point on the Antarctic continent, yes, Janet, you're really here. Keep pinching yourself.

Snowy sheathbill at Selvik Point. They're carrion eaters, hence the bare face.

Apparently sheathbills like to pose for photos. Actually they are remarkably unafraid of humans. This one practically climbed into the lap of the ship geologist's wife.

Chinstrap penguin at Peterman Island (I think - full report will have correct details).

Chinstrap penguin with chick.

Chinstrap chick.