Giant petrel

This giant petrel has a satellite transmitter taped to its back, and Brett is trying to retrieve it. In order to do so, he puts a wooden egg next to the Gipe (said Jeep, birder term for GIant PEtrel) and the bird has such a strong instinct to protect the egg, it will sit on it while Brett takes any measurements/removes the transmitter. It is impressive because these birds probably have a 4 foot wingspan and a beak that looks like the barrel of a 9mm handgun that could easily take off a finger, if not 3.

The Gould came back from the research cruise tuesday. we had a big party with live performances from a bunch of people, including some Canadians from the Spirit of Sydney, who are down here studying Killer whales. Then I guess a few days went by, cuz it's Saturday. All I really remember from them was giving a presentation about coral reefs and Dominica. The presentation went very well, and it seemed like people are really interested in that type of research. So that was cool.

Paul Allen's 4 hundred and something foot boat will be here on tuesday and, apparently, it is carrying Dan Akroyd. I don't get it either, but it will be an interesting visit.