And more sunsets

The end of the summer at Palmer meant the return of more normal day/night hours (which quickly began transitioning toward more night than day once we passed the Equinox on March 20), which meant that I was actually awake for sunrises and sunsets. Which are my FAVORITE. Here are a few of my favorite low-light pictures from the past few weeks.

Dock seals

One day a couple weeks ago when we were on the pier to backload some cargo into a container that was going to be leaving, we ended up taking a crabeater seal-watching break. These two were frolicking on the boat ramp for more than 20 minutes, giving everyone on station time to come outside and watch them play. Gorgeous afternoon, beautiful experience. So lucky.

Dead Seal Island

One of the last new island visits I got to make before leaving station was a few weeks ago when a bunch of us piled into a zodiac on a Sunday afternoon to go on a rescue mission to try to find a pair of gloves that one of us lost on Dead Seal Island on a previous visit. Any excuse to go explore a new chunk of rock!!!

I liked the somewhat dramatic cliff where we were dropped off.

And while happily we didn't see any dead seals on Dead Seal Island, there were plenty of live ones to tip-toe around.

Plus this interesting-looking bergy-bit just off-shore.

Gentoo penguin, glacier...what more could you ask for on a Sunday afternoon in Antarctica?

I'm not sure who was more surprised when I stumbled upon this guy, him or me...

Art show

Expecting to have really poor internet on the NBP starting today, I've pre-set posts to go live each day I'll be on the boat and for a few days after. Then by the time these run out, I'll hopefully be able to start sending along news and pictures of whatever did end up happening on the journey home.

So here's today's flashback to a couple weeks ago, when a station member threw her annual "Open that Bottle" party, where everyone shares any nice wine that's left on station and there's an art show. People's work was soooo impressive and varied, and the chefs did an amazing appetizer spread (their art!). Also, I think I've mentioned before, the carpentry shop is my favorite room on station in terms of ambiance, so it was a perfect setting for an art show.

I LOVE this display. The woman who threw the event, and who also holds "Art in the Bar" watercolor sessions on Sunday mornings brought in a photo she'd taken of the LMG sitting behind a big berg. Her rendition of the photo is on the top, and then the versions created by her students one particular Sunday--four of the young grantees on station this summer--are below. I just love how different yet beautiful each is.

Safe haven

So many Palmer pictures still to share, and yet leaving...tomorrow! Ah! This place has been such a beautiful, peaceful safe haven as the world has gone into shut-down mode. I guess I will be joining that craziness soon enough but will never stop appreciating the gorgeousness of here.