The upside of fall in Churchill

Well I'm really not sure where the time has gone but the last three months have disappeared into history now. It was a great summer around the Centre and in terms of science, it was a happening place. Check out a few of the researcher blogs to see what went down. If I missed your blog in the list, let me know and I'll add to another post.

The Three Planktoneers
Tundra Wetland Ecology Earthwatch Team
Tracks of the Arctic Fox
Biological Ramblings
Birding Et Cetera

For now, most of our researchers have headed out on their usual southward migrations to educational institutions across North America to process samples, manipulate data and achieve degrees for their hard work. For the CNSC staff, things settle into the rhythm of fall with wind, rain and chilly weather and the odd day of marvelous sunshine and spectacular colour. Here's a few photos from Krista to mark our fall transition about two weeks ago. Unfortunately the brilliant gold, orange and red colours have mostly faded now and a few days ago we saw the first white snowflakes in the air!



Most of the science is a race against the ticking clock of fall (or a wait for things to freeze for a new platform to work on). Already the nights are frosty and some leave us with a skiff of ice on the puddles around. Soon it will be more than a skiff and there is still the last rounds of science and equipment to be pulled before it gets much colder.


Here's Carley downloading data on a nice sunny afternoon:


Every day, one of the research staff travels to the fen with Krista to check on the methane and CO2 analyzer. Too bad about the boardwalk as now it's the daily workout routine to get out there and back.


A quick note to all: Sara survived her bike trek in Newfoundland and there are strange rumours afoot that she is in Hawaii. Hurricane Igor wasn't that bad was it?!? She'll hopefully be back on site in Churchill sometime in mid November.

And lastly as a catch-up post on the new building. Here are a few pictures of the progress over the last month. The new windows are beautiful and all but the last few are now installed. The building envelope is coming together and the interior work will be completed over the winter. These photos are courtesy of PennCo Construction.