Moss cushions on rock platforms. Some covered in lichens.
Different lichen species on exposed rocks
Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 2
Cormorant Island
@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were in awe at the diversity of #mosses and #lichens during an unplanned visit to Cormorant Island in the evening.
The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years
Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 1
Palmer Station, Anvers Island
An early start at Palmer Station to hunt for #moss along newly exposed land due to rapid glacial retreat. The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years.
Day 11 #SAEFgoesSouth
11-01-2025
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, #Antarctica
Evening trip ashore. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were surprised how close #moss was growing to #penguin subcolonies and to the sea.
Back for late dinner at 2200.
Sleeping quarters for passengers on the DAP Betanzos Ship - 2 bunk beds, 4 lockers & a small ensuite bathroom.
Dining room - we were separated into 2 groups for mealtimes. We made friends with the two friendly ship stewards (not pictured here)
The lounge room where we would have seminars, meetings and movies
Day 10 #SAEFgoesSouth
10-01-2025
On the DAP Betanzos ship at sea, returning to Propsect Pt to the north.
The team (@antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo, Diego and I) has adapted to life on the Betanzos - sharing confined spaces for sleeping, eating and working. Plus we've made friends with the crew!
Diego Salinas from Universidad de Santiago de Chile sampling moss on small plateaus of a rocky outcrop
Iceberg scattered coastline on a sunny day at Carvajal Station on Adelaide Island
Elephant seals sunbaking next to Carvajal Station
Day 9 #SAEFgoesSouth
09-01-2025
Carvajal Station, SW tip of Adelaide Island, #Antarctica
Spent a sunny morning ashore at the Chilean Carvajal station - collected #moss samples, watched Elephant #seals and gazed at the #iceberg scattered coastline.
Lagotellerie Island - small but steep
Some of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island, Antarctica
Lush, green moss beds growing on slopes
Day 8 - #SAEFgoesSouth
08-01-2025
Lat 67.883°S, Long 67.399°W
Privileged to see the wonder of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island. Many covered in lush green #moss beds.
Sampled moss as long as 11 cm.
An iceberg off the coast of Adelaide Island
Day 7 - #SAEFgoesSouth
07-01-2025
Crossed the #Antarctic circle (66.56°S) on our way south to Marguerite Bay! Watched as we passed icebergs off the coast of Adelaide Island.
Also getting used to life on a ship.
A very rocky moss collection site, only accessible by zodiac boat
Moss sampling in action
Day 6 - #SAEFgoesSouth
06-01-2025
Lat 66.028°S, Long 65.338°W
4 h trip ashore to a quiet island near Prospect Pt and...we found little cushions of #moss. Our first samples for this trip!
The slushy snow definitely made it difficult to sample and keep warm.
Photo of ship track so far down the Peninsula.
DAP Betanzos crew and passengers enjoying the spectacular views of the Lemaire Channel
Part of the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica
At the end of the Lemaire Channel. Whale seen in the distance to the left of the large iceberg
Day 5 - #SAEFgoesSouth
05-01-2025
On Betanzos ship sailing SW down the #Antarctic Peninsula through beautiful #icy landscapes of the Lemaire Channel and saw skuas, cormorants, penguins and a whale.
Due to arrive 'Base J' @0300 tomorrow, where we will hunt for moss.
Base O'Higgins (Chile), #Antarctica on a beautiful sunny day. No living moss found in this area = no moss sample.
Day 4 - #SAEFgoesSouth
04-01-2025
Moss team getting our sea legs. Short trip ashore to Base O'Higgins on the #Antarctic Peninsula. Very sunny day, ~0°C, 15 kt wind. No living moss found near the station to sample. Lots of green algae though.
Checked in with all our gear and ready to go to the gate at Punta Arenas - board in the background showing scheduled flights to Antarctica
Sharon, Gustavo and Diego about to board DAP940 flight to Antarctica 📸 Melinda Waterman
Day 3 - #SAEFgoesSouth
03-01-2025
Flight South confirmed! We boarded DAP940 @1900, destination King George Island, #Antarctica.
We (and our gear) made it aboard the DAP Betanzos ship by ~2200. After some welcome snacks, we found our cabins and went to sleep. Next stop Base O'Higgins.
Our team of four in line to collect clothing kit issued by INACH
Mel, Sharon & Gustavo at INACH with some cardboard penguin friends 📸 Diego Salinas
Gustavo & Mel (Diego in background) at the beach in Punta Arenas 📸 Sharon Robinson
Day 2 - #SAEFgoesSouth
02-01-2025
Sunny day with a cool breeze in Punta Arenas, Chile
Collected additional clothing kit from Chilean Antarctic Program (INACH), met other members of the team, and waited for confirmation for flight south [planned for today but delayed due to weather conditions]
Mel & Sharon at Sydney airport
NYE in Santiago with Mel, Sharon & Gustavo
Days 0 & 1 - #SAEFgoesSouth
31-12-24 & 01-01-2025
After a long flight from Sydney to Santiago, @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I celebrated NYE in Santiago.
Then we flew to Punta Arenas, Chile at 0600. Checked in to hotel, wandered the quiet town and waited for info about our flight to #Antarctica
Mel collecting moss in Antarctica (moss in foreground and an icy landscape in the background)
Having a 'mossome' field trip sampling moss in the #Antarctica peninsula region with @antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo Zuñiga & Diego Salinas.
Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social
Summaries of our daily reports to come! #SAEFGoesSouth
📸 Pablo Espinoza (INACH)
In Punta Arenas about to board a DAP flight for Antarctica with @drmelwaterman.bsky.social Gustavo Zuniga, Diego Salinas to join the Betanzos & sail to the Peninsula. Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social
#SAEFGoesSouth
Mel and Sharon at Sydney airport about to depart for Santiago, Chile
Mel and Sharon at Santiago airport with kit
@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I had a very long NYE as we flew from Sydney to Santiago on our way to #Antarctica
#SAEFGoesSouth
Sophie stands on the snow at Wolf's Fang Runway in Antarctica. The sky is bright blue and there are mountains in the background.
"Hey Google, play Song 2 by Blur" 🤟
#SAEFgoesSouth
Well... We boomeranged on our flight to #Antarctica last night. Unexpected winds made the runway unsafe to land, so we turned back for Cape Town 4 hours into the flight. We've all had a good rest today and are rescheduled for the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed! #SAEFgoesSouth
GRWM to fly to #Antarctica tomorrow! Our flight from Cape Town aims to land in the coldest part of the "night", for the best runway conditions, so this is everything I'll be wearing when I step off the plane and onto the ice ❄️ #SAEFgoesSouth
We packed all the food for our remote camps today. Four weeks of food for four people who will be doing a lot of physical work in the cold is... a LOT OF food! #SAEFgoesSouth
A view across the Cape Town waterfront to Table Mountain. There is a harbour with boats and shops on the wharves in the foreground. It's dusk and there are no clouds in the sky.
Our Biology team has safely arrived in Cape Town, our gateway city to #Antarctica! We've got 2 busy days of gear checks before we're on standby to fly south. #SAEFgoesSouth
Filmed my first ever TV interview this morning! Grateful to speak alongside experts @andrewmackintosh.bsky.social and @arcsaef.bsky.social Director Steven Chown. Stay tuned for details on when/where to watch it this coming weekend 🤓 #SAEFgoesSouth
A view from an airplane of where the white Antarctic ice sheet meets the blue Southern Ocean, with some of the plane wing visible.
One week until my journey back to Antarctica begins! The science cargo has been shipped, the protocols are written up, and my bags are mostly packed 🫨 #SAEFgoesSouth
