Too Much Life on the Seafloor

I am always amazed at just how much life is on the seafloor here. It is everywhere and strange.

I think this photo really captures it the best. Where is the rock under those urchins, sponges, polychaete worms (feather dusters), soft corals, hydroids...you name it.

Sometimes there are things that stand out... like this yellow sponge, but even then it is surounded by other life.

Sometimes there is some separation at least. For example this nudibranch that appears to be going for a walk (or snack) approaching the softcorals...but also a sea spider. And look at that wee sea star. That is the voracious ones....so I hope the nudibranch gets away from that little guy.

But really - it is astounding how diverse, abundant and colorful things are here. From the top of the bottom of the sea.

Polar Pride on the Antarctic Side

This week we celebrated Polar Pride. A time of visibility and support for the LGBTQIA+ community that work in some of the most remote places in the world.

Started in 2020 by the collaboration of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the Foreign, Commonwelath & Development Office (FCDO) and LBGTQ+ staff networks, November 18th marks the International Day of LGBTQIA+ people in STEM.

In a place of physical and social isolation, the last thing we want is for people to feel isolated for who they are. In Antarctica and polar research, we welcome people from all walks of life regardless of their identity. There is a place for everyone and this week brings visibility and awareness that this community reaches all corners of the globe.

To celebrate, I had members of the McMurdo community sign a pride flag throughout the week so I could take it diving and bring my community with me in a unique way. I myself was moved by the support and community I felt this week, making me feel not only seen, but welcomed in such an objectively harsh environment of cold temperatures and strong winds.

Even after a quick month here, the strong bonds between the people of McMurdo has been felt. Uplifting each other and creating space for everyone to be exactly who they want to be. Remember there's no right way to be queer, and you are perfect the way you are. Happy Polar Pride.

And one seal

We run a lot of transects along the seafloor. We do this to count the number of animals in a given area. Usually we count sea stars, urchins, anemones...things like that. Yesterday, and much to our surprise - we counted a seal. This seal was laying on the seafloor (within 1m width... our usual counting space). It was having a good time watch the science happen (or at least that is what I think it was doing).

The seal even then decided to help by pointing out where the transect was. So it was a helpful seal in the end. In any case, this is a strange behavior and was very entertaining during the dive. I am looking forward to seeing the final data analysis from this site: "1,345 seastars... and 1 seal per 30 square meters."