Thanks for inviting me to come along to speak about Antarctic moss and climate! It was great fun.

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 2
Cormorant Island

@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were in awe at the diversity of #mosses and #lichens during an unplanned visit to Cormorant Island in the evening.

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 1
Palmer Station, Anvers Island

An early start at Palmer Station to hunt for #moss along newly exposed land due to rapid glacial retreat. The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years.

Day 11 #SAEFgoesSouth
11-01-2025
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, #Antarctica

Evening trip ashore. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were surprised how close #moss was growing to #penguin subcolonies and to the sea.
Back for late dinner at 2200.

Day 10 #SAEFgoesSouth
10-01-2025
On the DAP Betanzos ship at sea, returning to Propsect Pt to the north.

The team (@antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo, Diego and I) has adapted to life on the Betanzos - sharing confined spaces for sleeping, eating and working. Plus we've made friends with the crew!

Day 9 #SAEFgoesSouth
09-01-2025
Carvajal Station, SW tip of Adelaide Island, #Antarctica

Spent a sunny morning ashore at the Chilean Carvajal station - collected #moss samples, watched Elephant #seals and gazed at the #iceberg scattered coastline.

Day 8 - #SAEFgoesSouth
08-01-2025
Lat 67.883°S, Long 67.399°W
Privileged to see the wonder of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island. Many covered in lush green #moss beds.
Sampled moss as long as 11 cm.

Day 7 - #SAEFgoesSouth
07-01-2025
Crossed the #Antarctic circle (66.56°S) on our way south to Marguerite Bay! Watched as we passed icebergs off the coast of Adelaide Island.
Also getting used to life on a ship.

Bon voyage Martina Sanderson-Smith and @ecologee.bsky.social I hope the Drake is kind to you!

If you pass King George Island let @drmelwaterman.bsky.social & I know and we can wave from Escudero!

Thanks @antarcticmoss.bsky.social! This one has been very special 😀

Day 6 - #SAEFgoesSouth
06-01-2025
Lat 66.028°S, Long 65.338°W
4 h trip ashore to a quiet island near Prospect Pt and...we found little cushions of #moss. Our first samples for this trip!
The slushy snow definitely made it difficult to sample and keep warm.

Day 5 - #SAEFgoesSouth
05-01-2025
On Betanzos ship sailing SW down the #Antarctic Peninsula through beautiful #icy landscapes of the Lemaire Channel and saw skuas, cormorants, penguins and a whale.

Due to arrive 'Base J' @0300 tomorrow, where we will hunt for moss.

Day 4 - #SAEFgoesSouth
04-01-2025
Moss team getting our sea legs. Short trip ashore to Base O'Higgins on the #Antarctic Peninsula. Very sunny day, ~0°C, 15 kt wind. No living moss found near the station to sample. Lots of green algae though.

Day 3 - #SAEFgoesSouth
03-01-2025
Flight South confirmed! We boarded DAP940 @1900, destination King George Island, #Antarctica.
We (and our gear) made it aboard the DAP Betanzos ship by ~2200. After some welcome snacks, we found our cabins and went to sleep. Next stop Base O'Higgins.

Day 2 - #SAEFgoesSouth
02-01-2025
Sunny day with a cool breeze in Punta Arenas, Chile

Collected additional clothing kit from Chilean Antarctic Program (INACH), met other members of the team, and waited for confirmation for flight south [planned for today but delayed due to weather conditions]

Days 0 & 1 - #SAEFgoesSouth
31-12-24 & 01-01-2025

After a long flight from Sydney to Santiago, @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I celebrated NYE in Santiago.
Then we flew to Punta Arenas, Chile at 0600. Checked in to hotel, wandered the quiet town and waited for info about our flight to #Antarctica