Field Update by Evan Shields, Field Research Technician:

From the outset, it was difficult to imagine how life in Antarctica and at McMurdo Station might look. I didn't really try to figure it out beforehand myself, instead opting to just see when I got here. Maybe that's a good thing. I'm not sure it would have been an easy thing for someone to convey through a picture or email, or even a conversation. It seems to me that most everything in Antarctica is one of a kind.

McMurdo Station with Scott Hut in the foreground. Photo by Evan Shields.

One of the first things I noticed, even before reaching McMurdo, was the sense of community. There appear to be longtime friendships borne of shared experiences, and I think the community is something that keeps drawing people back. Once on station, I found little signs everywhere left by people that care about their work and about this place. Everything has been given a nickname: buildings, machinery, equipment, people–you name it. People take the time to decorate their dorm rooms, the hallways, the bulletin boards, and more. There are memes and pop-culture references–probably McMurdo-culture references too, though I'm not sure I can spot those yet–in everyday places. A troll made of scrap-metal (and a really well-made one at that) minds the "troll bridge" between the galley and the science building. The list goes on. It seems to me that all of these little personal touches add to the sense of community and make McMurdo Station that much more unique.

Big Razorback Island with active volcano Mt. Erebus  beyond.
Photo by Evan Shields.

That’s a word I can’t seem to escape: unique. Out on the sea ice, I’m again reminded that I’ve never been in a place quite like it. And I’ve worked in some cold, remote places. Still, I can’t help but be impressed by the landscape itself: meters-thick sea ice will eventually give way to open water; an active volcano looms over the study area; glaciers, icebergs, and islands dot the horizon; and charismatic Weddell seals laze out on the ice with their young pups. With views like these, I can’t help but pull out my camera throughout the day and, with numb fingers, take just as many pictures as I can. The history of Ross Island and its importance to the heroic age of Antarctic exploration is also fascinating to me, and certainly another incomparable aspect of the area. Although I’m just starting to scratch the surface, I would like to learn a lot more.

Team snowmobiles with Turks Head and Hutton Cliffs in the background.
Photo by Evan Shields.

As we were snowmobiling back into town after a day on the sea ice, we crossed paths with a Hägglunds tracked vehicle, and a helicopter returning to station flew overhead. In that moment it again hit me how extraordinary this whole experience is and how many different individuals are working to collectively move the USAP forward. I’m grateful to be a part of it.

– Evan Shields

Evan Shields just completed his M.S. degree on trumpeter swan research in Yellowstone National Park working on historical data for the species abundance and status in the Park over multiple decades. Dr. Jay Rotella served as Evan’s graduate advisor, and notes that Evan did a great job on his thesis. He also has lots of field experience working on a diversity of mammals (including mountain lions and deer) and birds. He has developed a lot of excellent data management and analysis skills, which will make him a doubly-valuable asset on our project. This is his first season in Antarctica.