Here are seven short profiles, first impressions and probing Q&A’s to officially introduce the 2015 Kure winter field crew:
Andy has already spent a summer on Kure and seems to be looking forward to discovering the nuance of winter field camp. He is both charismatic and patient as he shows off Oahu, gives the newbies advice and tells stories about his experiences on Kure.
Favorite field camp meal to prepare: My favorite meal to prepare is pizza… lots of pizza.
Coryna just finished studying ecology at Hofstra University. This will be her first major field experience. She is incredibly eloquent and will most likely have a smooth season as she described a few hours of weeding as ‘meditative.’
Most frivolous items packed: colored pencils
Cynthia is the Kure Biological Field Station Supervisor. She is a walking encyclopedia for everything Kure from how and why the bunkhouse was built including the name of the man at the hardware store who helped her purchase the right supplies – to the logic and necessity of the invasive species eradication program. She just as easily sits back to talk story with the new ‘Kureans’ as she calls us, past field staff and colleagues. Her passion for Kure is infectious.
Most random marine debris that you’ve found on the beaches of Kure: I found a sealed stainless steel box the size of a plate lunch box. There is a metal object inside that rattles when the box is shaken. I think it is gold bullion and have vowed not to open it until I retire.
Eryn knows a lot about Kure already, as this will be her third trip out. She has been incredibly engaging and warm in her reception of the new team members. She lights up when describing previous experiences out there and tends to say the Latin names of the plants on Kure as though they are friends.
Name the one item you recommend everyone takes to Kure: comfy after-work pants
Martha has been working in Denali National Park for the last nine years and has previously worked as a neuroscientist and Outward Bound instructor. She is constantly smiling and seems ready for any task. When all of us are hot and sweaty (often) she cools us down with stories of snow and commuting to work on skis while working in backcountry Alaska.
Favorite fact about Alaska: The location of surfbird nesting sites wasn’t discovered in until the middle of the 20th century. Surfbirds nest on the alpine ridges in Denali National Park.
Ryan is co-authoring this blog and is no stranger to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. He has previously worked on Tern Island in French Frigate Shoals. He is the ornithologist of the group and always has his eyes pointed skyward. I’m looking forward to learning every bird fact he knows.
Bird most excited to see on Kure: Grey-backed Terns.
Noël – that’s me. My last field site was a small island in the Western Indian Ocean where the entire staff referred to people who get to live on or visit an atoll as ‘incredibly lucky.’ It’s an understatement to say I’m ridiculously excited about this opportunity.
Best advice for living on a remote field site: Name spiders after hot celebrities so you don’t mind sharing your bedroom with them.