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Gallery | Dispatch Images | Facts | References

Last Trip to the Edge

These are my favorite wildlife, scenic, and science images from our four week journey back to the "Edge of the Arctic Shelf." In terms of the wildlife and scenic photo opportunities, this year's cruise was even more challenging than last year.

The retreat of the annual icepack was even farther than anyone had guessed. The effects of our changing climate are being felt sharply here at the top of the world. We only saw one polar bear in the entire four weeks, and the bear was swimming in open water far from the ice or the Alaskan coast. Other marine mammal sightings were likewise rare or nonexistent. On a 2-day transit of the ice edge the terrain seemed so lifeless--not even the ubiquitous glaucous gulls were to be seen.

Although Mother Nature was shy this cruise, our science party was the best crew I have ever sailed with. I can't thank them all enough for being such excellent supermodels.

To see more 2004 images, visit the digital image gallery.

I also invite you to visit my personal website, where you can see more images from my travels. Enjoy!
- C. A. Linder

Postscript: I would like to dedicate this image gallery to the memory of two teammates who sadly are not with us to see it. Ryan Schrawder, a WHOI mooring technician, lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident in 2004. Topsy Montgomery was a good friend and staunch supporter of our outreach project. Sadly she passed away on February 19th, 2005.


Copyright: All photos © C. A. Linder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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Any commercial use or sale of any content herein without express written consent of C. A. Linder and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is strictly prohibited.