Thank you, Palmer Station, for having us and supporting our science. We couldn't have done it without you.

And thank you readers, for following my blog!!

I spent today soaking it all: to see the splendor that is Antarctica. Either watching the sunrise, with the first rays of the sun hitting Mount Matin, or seeing a hiker halfway up the glacier, or just sipping some tea on the rocks (Thank you for that last photo @SimplyAntarctica.

..... I feel very lucky to be here.

If you want to see more Antarctic photos, I will likely post a few more about my passage across the Drake. But consider following my friend's Instagram page. Her photos are amazing: @SimplyAntarctica

My field season is over and it is time to return. I will be heading back north on Thursday.

As you can imagine, I will sad to leave, but am also excited about being home again and seeing my friends and colleagues. And let's not forget our three wonderful cats. 🐈

More evidence of warming trends on the Antarctic Peninsula: Islands emerging from beneath the glacier. Here is Detrich Island. It still contains a remnant of the glacier that it was connected to. The blue color shows that it lost the "fresher" ice layers, exposing the much older, blue glacial ice.
 
The island is colloquially known as Pi Island because it became disconnected from the glacier on Pi day in 2014. Sadly, I expect it will lose its glacial cap within the next 5 years.

Today I had another great Zoom session, but this time in Dutch - though I am a bit rusty!

Just yesterday I posted about the glacier near the station that has receded a lot over time. The glacier not only receded, but has shrunk dramatically in height also.

Nevertheless, it is always a treat to go on a hike on the glacier itself. On top of the glacier there are sweeping vistas that I would like to share with you. The top of the glacier also has a repeater, which helps with communication.

The bird research team at Palmer Station put together these two images to illustrate how much the glacier by our station has retreated. We literally see islands appearing from beneath the glacier. It's not just here - Most of the glaciers along the western Antarctic Peninsula have been retreating. This is why our research is so important: how will life in Antarctica change as a result of the warmer climate?

Thanks  Palmer birders for the visual, and Ross Nichols for the drone footage of the glacier this year (Jan 2023 photo).