Minke?

I saw about six or so Minke whales today. That was really
interesting. I got a little video of them on my digital camera, and
I am sure all of you will see the video when I return. Minke whales
are pretty dark brown with dorsal fins way in the back of them, not
so high as an orca's. They were really playful and active when I saw
them. I believe they were feeding. How lucky I am to be here seeing
such wonderful sights.
Today was very busy in the beginning, but it died down toward the
middle or so. Yesterday we were at the "Bay of Whales"--the most
southern place we will ever be on this ship. I saw a few orcas there
in addition to a few penguins. Today we got to do a "sediment
grab." I think I may have described this before. It is a process
where we lure a huge contraption into the ocean (it was really deep
here, about 1100m deep) that snaps once it hits the bottom, trapping
sediment. This grab wasn't all that interesting. It was a nearly
gelatinous, gooey mud that jiggled when we moved it. I thought it
was fun to stick my hands in to search for pebbles, gravel, and
larger rocks. There weren't any larger sediments at all! This mud
may have been a diatom. Now I am not sure, but I think a diatom is
formed biogenically (by flora and fauna). I believe this mud was
made by a build up of phytoplankton and algae like organisms. NEAT!
Now we are trying to navigate through tons and tons of ice. I looked
out the window about an hour ago, and all I could see was white. Ice
everywhere. I couldn't even see any water. Good thing this ship is
an ice cutter and not something smaller because we would be sinking
like Titanic.
Off to bed now. I need to get some sleep for another long 12 hour
night shift. I hope you are all enjoying my blog even though I can't
put up pictures. I promise as soon as I get back I will overload you
all with the pictures I have taken throughout this time.