We just got back from the fjords and i'm already heading on my way back to Hawaii. The cruise was a roaring success, lots of corals, lots of good weather and all the major goals accomplished, pretty impressive for four days. I'll fill you in on the particulars of the work when i'm back at my desk, but until then, today and tomorrow i'll post some photos from the trip.
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| Leaving Juneau early on tuesday morning, Wade (left) and Richard (right) set us loose. |
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| Cruising out of the Gastineau Channel, beautiful day! |
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| Sealion checks us out as we near the turn for Tracy Arm. |
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| The water is definitely cold! |
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| Turning into Tracy Arm fjord, spectacular scenery of a glacial cut fjord. |
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| Our sample site, a sheet wall with lots of current and nutrients, just right for cold-water corals to grow. |
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| Captain Dennis sets us off as we head out for a quick dive tuesday evening to check out the sample site and locate the corals. Jennifer (left) and Bob (right) suit up! |
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| Both Jennifer and Bob have dove here before and seen these corals, but never at this time of year. This was a really challenging dive location, the current was much faster than in other times they've dived here and the visibility was very poor. This dive team really pulled it out and got an amazing amount done. I was sad not to be diving, but am hoping to come back on another trip next year. |
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| My zone for this cruise - the "lab". |
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| And the outcome.....corals! Lots of them! This is part of a colony we've simulated fishing damage to, so we can see what happens internally when these corals get snagged in fishing gear. |
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