The 2015 Antarctica Weddell seal population study field team has a huge job during the pupping season tagging, weighing, re-weighing, taking genetic samples, measuring mass using new 3D modeling methods, and counting all the seals in the Erebus Bay, Antarctica study area. The crew members work long days, and travel all over the sea ice study area to get to all the seal adults and pups to do their work. They also sometimes find time in their busy days to take photographs and video footage to assist the project and help with our public outreach work. Here is a 2015 Antarctica Team Photo Exhibit of some of the team's favorite images from the season, as well as a brief statement from each contributor about imaging in Antarctica, which is a special skill in its own right given the harsh light, and cold, windy conditions. We hope you enjoy this 2015 Antarctica Field Team Photo Exhibit!

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Eric Boyd

 

"When photographing I aim to capture my surroundings to share with others but capturing Antarctica is an impossible feat.  I can share an image but never has one spoken what I wanted to say."

– Eric Boyd

 

 

 

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 Mike Forzley

 "It is hard to believe that our study area will soon be open ocean. In a few short weeks our crew will be leaving McMurdo Sound, and our beloved sea-ice camp. I think that I speak for everybody when I say that it has been a supremely enjoyable season thus far. I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I have immensely enjoyed being in camp with such wonderful, hardworking people."

• – Mike Forzley

 

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Ross Hinderer

“Taking photographs in Antarctica has been the greatest combination of ease and challenge I've ever experienced.  Ease because of the extreme rugged beauty of the place and the accessibility and novelty of antarctic native species.  Challenge because of the harsh lighting, inclement weather, and the fact that our workload sometimes makes it difficult to take photos as much as I would like.  I think I've gotten some keepers so far, and I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to photograph a continent that few ever get to see.”

– Ross Hinderer

 













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Kaitlin Macdonald

 
"This season has flown by and it is hard to believe we only have a few weeks left! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was watching the sunset in McMurdo while preparing for the season ahead. We are transitioning from weighing 20 day old pups to weighing 35 day old pups. This is a part of the season I am especially fond of. It is so exciting to see how the pups have grown and taken on their own personalities."   

 - Kaitlin Macdonald

 




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 Erika Nunlist

 
"This season has been going by incredibly fast. We have learned and experienced so much in a very short amount of time. One of the most interesting things on a day-to-day basis has been watching the pups grow. We weigh pups three times throughout our field season and I'm impressed every time by how much weight they've gained."

– Erika Nunlist

 

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Terrill Paterson

  “My past experiences as a crew leader did not prepare me for the quality, tenaciousness and professionalism of this year’s crew.  They have dealt with high numbers of both pups and adults, expanded data needs, and logistical and weather-related challenges with grace.  Toward the end of our season, as we watch the pups born this year grow, wean and molt, it is not lost upon me how much growth we ourselves undergo in any given season.  It is a great pleasure to work with these people, in this environment and with this animal.”

– Terrill Paterson 

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Thank you to the entire 2015 crew for taking the time to create these beautiful photos and contribute them to this 2015 Antarctica Field Team Photo Exhibit!