From the Field: Bill Buck in Cape Horn, Day 11
Posted in Bill Buck, From the Field, Science on February 21st, 2012 by William R. Buck – Be the first to commentJanuary 30, 2012; Isla Gordon, Bahía Romanche, 54º57′S, 69º30′W
Waiting for the Zodiac in rough waters
What a difference a day makes! We anchored last night in Caleta Olla (approximately 54º56′S, 69º09′W) and for the first night of the trip we could see the Southern Cross and many more of the bright stars that illuminate the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky. But by morning it was completely overcast with a cold wind spitting light rain. Today, we were hoping to hit three localities rather than our standard two, the first being Caleta Olla itself. The group spread out to hit the various habitats, including a beaver-disturbed peatland and various forest types, while I chose to collect along an extensive cliff base not far from the harbor. It was not the richest cliff face I have seen, but it occupied me for well over an hour, and I even had time to make a few large collections of pleurocarps for Bernard Goffinet‘s genomic work. However, I was anxious to get to our next site, Glacier Italia.
