Randall tries to show us a presentation on the computer but the projector blows a lamp. Instead we have to all try and look at the laptop screen. Its just the outline of the project, pretty much what we should have all read in the project briefing. Then its down to the beach for equipment and safety demos. We're shown how the various bits of kit operate - the GPS, the VHF radios, the drop camera, the Eckman grab, the laser binoculars. Once that's done its already time for lunch up at the cabin.
After that we head out on the boats. There are two craft we are using for the trip. One is a wooden skiff with a pointed bow, which was built by Fred in the cabin. He normally goes out in this one. The other is a plastic or fibre-glass boat referred to as the Boston Whaler - that's the manufacturer. I think you'd have trouble catching whales in it. Randall prefers this craft, probably because it has a much larger engine and flies through the water.
We head up the left arm of Simpson Bay - and there are otters all over the water. We also spot a brown bear on a small island. There are bald eagles sitting in seemingly every other tree. Quite a few of the otters are mothers with small pups, and we stop next to one as she feeds and grooms it for half an hour. Other otters are less tolerant, and dive off as we approach.
There are some harbour seals hauled out of the water, sitting on rocks. As we get closer they become agitated, and eventually slope off into the water. Jellyfish drift past the boat. Salmon jump.
We land the boats on some mudflats for a look around. It has quite a smell to it. Then its across the bay to a small waterfall, where there's plenty of sign of bears feeding on the local berries. A short scramble up the stream leads to a larger waterfall.
By now its nearly dinner time, so we zoom back to camp and eat. I talk to Randall about some statistical analysis he is doing with some Weddell seal skull measurements. Soon its bedtime.
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