Curiosity

While recording one of the new pups (who I named Monroe after Marilyn Monroe) a neighboring pup got very curious and decided to come and visit my equipment. Sniffed my peli case, played with my cables and looked very confused when it would move as he pushed his nose into it. Mom did not approve...but twenty minutes later when the pup got bored and wandered away, mom forgave him and they curled up for a late morning nap. A perfect day for it too...not a cloud in the sky!

Remember remember

The 5th of november. Happy guy fawkes day! We should be able to see the fireworks from on top of the hill on May, so we should still get to enjoy the festivities.


This pup is adorable...he sits with his head back for hours on end. Just how he wants to see the world I guess!

New Born Puppies

Part of my PhD research is looking at how grey seal pup vocalizations develope as they grow. Since I have been here, four pups have been born on my study sites, and I have been spending the last few days stalking them with a microphone and recording lots of barks, squeeks, moans, sneezes, and all other puppy uterances.

Here are pictures of all the newborns. Since I am trying to get recordings of them, I think naming them after singers would be very appropriate. I would love to hear your suggestions if you have any ideas!

Puppies

So far so good on the Isle of May, and updates will start coming with pictures of cute puppies. There are so many of them; there are a few different sites here that are just littered with seals.

Halloween and off to May

Ok, I am very bad about posting, though it really is mostly because my time has been primarily spent reviewing literature and getting all of my safety courses and introductions to the school taken care of. But Marc and I had a wonderful Halloween; we carved pumpkins with friends (marc a seal, me a skeleton dog), and spent the weekend in Dundee. We went to their science museum, Sensations, which revolves around the 5 senses, and did all the touristy things in St. Andrews as well (castle, cathedral, aquarium). And at night we joined the other biology post grads for a pub crawl. We went with a Princess bride theme for our costumes; Marc went as Inigo Montoya, and I as the dread pirate roberts.

And now I am finally off to the Isle of May to start recording the little grey seal puppies! We supposedly have internet on the Isle, so hopefully I won't be to out of touch for the month I am out there. Should have some cute baby seal pics to post soon.

School starting!

It has been awhile since I last posted...long story short, Marc and I had a wonderful vacation back in the states and spent lots of time with family and friends. My underwater camera drowned during our trip to florida (seal on it leaked) so I didn't have photos to put up here...and so I never remembered to take the time and update. The camera has somewhat resurrected now, is sort of usuable, and I have my dad's old camera, so that is all remedied now.

School has started up, and it is wonderful to be back in academics. Well, an academic environment. I am not stuck in long lectures like marc, just afternoon long seminars. For now I am just putting together proposals, ethical review forms, and lit reviews. But the office Dr. Janik's postgrads share is beautiful; the view from my desk is amazing!

St Andrews!

After what seemed like never ending waiting for different grants to come through, things have finally worked out and I will be able to start studying at St. Andrews in September! It has been a serious test on my patience...I was accepted conditionally into the program last October, but didn't find out until today that I can start up next month.

Everything works out in the end :)