Teshekpuk Lake - Living the dream

We just returned from three weeks in the NPR-A (National Petroleum Reserve-AK) working on a shorebird study. We got to travel in a helicopter to different plots daily. Our tasks were to identify bird density, locate nests, and capture adults for a few short moments. Highlights include a Dunlin laying an egg in Ayme's hand, chill time in camp with our ten compadres, Jim taking over the helicopter stick for awhile, our fearless helicopter pilot and his funny sayings, burrito night, and one relaxing hot evening before the bugs emerged. My camera is currently MIA, but this is a shot of a male King Eider which turned out to be the shot of the trip, by Jim.

We go back in the field this week - this time to the western AK to look for Hudsonian Godwits (Jim's Chile bird). More to come upon our return - standby...