Team 2024 gathers for a photo while working on the sea ice at the Turtle Rock Weddell seal pupping colony in Erebus Bay. From left to right: field team leader Parker Levinson, lead scientist Jay Rotella, field team researchers Abram Brown, Sophie Rotella (in front), Elisabeth Krieger (behind Sophie) and Allie Chipman.
Working on the sea ice in Erebus Bay this early in the Austral Spring requires special attention to extreme cold weather clothing systems to make certain no skin is exposed to the biting wind while traveling on snowmobiles or while working with the seals in windy conditions lest frostbite quickly occur. The numerous layers of head and neck covers can be arranged as needed to block the wind. And proper eye cover is crucial to avoid snow blindness. Note how Parker has carefully modified the bottom of her googles to better prevent fogging. Dialing in these clothing systems is part of the field team's early field safety preparation. Tall flagged probing poles, as seen in this photo, are used to test the solidity of the sea ice surface for safe walking in the field. There's a wonderful section on what it takes to properly outfit a seal researcher in Erebus Bay in our cool multimedia ebook, Weddell Seals. Check it out for free!
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