Southeast to Southwest to Southcentral

After two successful projects, we found ourselves in opposite sides of southern Alaska. For a quick map, check out this link:
The arrow points to Jim's locale. Draw a line due east and that's about where Ayme ended up!
Ayme went on a seven day teacher training course entitled The Whales of Icy Strait (southeast AK). She spent her days with ten other teachers, discussing teaching philosophy and digging deep into the water with paddles. Time was taken to balance beach rocks, dig through bear poop, and swim in an icy cold creek. The humpbacks and sea lions sang and splashed day and night. It was an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime! (hint hint...Alaska is waiting for you!)

Jim buzzed over to King Salmon (on the AK peninsula) to help on a project, with hopes to resight more shorebirds that he banded in Chile. He was successful in finding 3 of "his" birds. Given the population size, the proportion of those caught and banded, and the numbers of birds in the area, he was stoked to have resighted those birds! He also resighted a bird which spends it's non-breeding season in Australia. His observation has shaken up the worlds of Australian shorebird biologists. Pretty exciting! He also saw this pair of juvenile peregrin falcons getting ready for flight:

Back in the big city, we joined with friends before an AMAZING Wilco show. It was an outdoor show, and it rained all night. The good thing is, you can only get so wet! They played a fantastic set and we left inspired and with a lighter step.


The next two days were spent working on getting Turnstone set up. Dr Wells jet setted down from Fairbanks in the nick of time for the voyage. We spent four or five days watching orca's splash, dropping and casting lines, hiking through muskegs and getting lost in the beauty of Prince William Sound. Another experience everyone should have (hint hint).