Only in Antarctica would one find a wind vane with a krill on top. What is krill? and who would have a weather vane like that?
Krill is the lynch pin in the Antarctic food chain. Krill, which is like a tiny shrimp, is enjoyed by MANY Antarctic animals– penguins, whales, seals – who doesn’t like krill????
Today we had the privilege to visit Palmer Station. Palmer Station is one of three US Antarctic Bases, the others being McMurdo and the South Pole. They are usually very busy with science, but were kind to allow us to visit. Prior to our own visit, some of the station staff and scientists came out to visit us on Hans Hansson – a treat for all involved. They got to get off the base and see new faces and a new boat, we got to hear some interesting stories – one visitor had over wintered at the South Pole, another was investigating terrestrial plants to learn more about glacier movement, another was a friend we see year after year down here at Palmer.
Some came to visit us last night, and others came over for coffee this morning. Post boat visit, we all went to the base. It was a challenge to get our dinghies there, as the brash ice had choked up Hero inlet – the cove in front of the base. We took our time and finally made it – a huge thanks to station manage Bob for his patience in us taking our time to get there.
We were taken on a tour – one stop is a nice vantage point where Bob told us the story of the island “revealing” itself. A glacier had previously covered the island, so that as the glacier retreated, the land, turned out to be an island! From the same view point, we spotted the krill wind vane (see photo). Given that Palmer focuses much of its research on the waters surrounding the base, krill, is a fitting creature to top the wind vane! Somehow I had missed it on previous visits.
Palmer is always very kind and they also provided us with VERY delicious cookies and coffee and opened the store for us – THANKS!
After spending the last week or so looking at wildlife (which is fantastic), it was interesting to see how another creature, humans, also live down here.
Again – a HUGE thanks to the Palmer crew!
– Laura
