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Inspiring minds through nature and science. Come and explore.
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Alaskan Dinosaur Expedition
July 30 |
| Today the weather broke and we set out for prospecting the Kikiakrorak. We made our way up the bluffs along the Colville, traveled cross-country and dropped into the Kikiakrorak. Wallowing in the muddy banks was not much fun, so I preferred wading directly in the river. It must have a pretty high tannin level -- there was a very brown color to the clear water.
One outcrop was home to three rough-legged chicks, and they allowed me to get reasonably close for pictures. I think I enjoy the rough-legs much more than the peregrines; the rough-legs are much more forgiving if I approach a nest, but the peregrines have a scream that goes on and on as they follow you long after you’ve left the nest area. The next outcrop was unexciting, but we could see a very large bluff in the distance. Since the day was still young and we hadn’t gotten much of anything aside from a few gastropods and clams, we all decided to go forward. We made the far outcrop, which was well-exposed and included the typical rocks I have already seen. There were also possible volcanic ashes but no bones. After completing a survey of the outcrop, we noted it was around 5:30. I scouted ahead on the river to see if there was anything else nearby; there wasn’t, so we thought it best to head back. About halfway back the humidity went way up and from our backs we could see that a big storm was building. We checked a few more small outcrops. It now was clear we were going to get hammered by the storm, so we moved up out of the drainage, onto the tundra, in order to make time. This was about 6:30, and we ran into Roland almost immediately, as the rest of the crew was out searching for us, because we were long overdue. Roland informed us we needed to make time, because Dave was going to push the button for Search and Rescue to come look for us in about an hour. The storm hit us hard just as we arrived at the boat. Dave and Kevin had a big fire started, and as the rain continued we were all grateful for the warmth . But the worry we had created for those back at camp affected us all. At camp, we had a feast of canned goods. After dinner I walked around on the river bar, and in addition to the tracks of birds and bears to which we have grown so accustomed, I found that a wolf had passed near our tents during our day away. |