Little-prepared were we to find our preparations hindered by the presence of a pigeon, asleep atop the multi-corer! Calling crew and researchers out to show off our find, it was not long before we discovered a second pigeon, huddled behind the IKMT net. And finally a third was unearthed by the crew going about their daily routines.
Us all being proud scientists engaged in scientific activities aboard a research vessel, upon discovery of the birds we naturally started discussing whether or not they should be roasted for lunch.
But that discussion was quickly abandonned, because although they were weak and haggard, they did have leg bands... And said leg bands had a contact telephone number on them!
So the captain took it as his duty to use the emergency satellite telephone in order to find out more about these birds! Turns out they were from the northern-most tip of Hokkaido, and had been engaging in a pigeon race, when the big low-pressure zone sent them off track. They suggested we let the biggest and strongest bird fly home, and promissed to send a messenger all the way to Daiba to pick up the other two, very weak at that point.
So the captain took it as his duty to use the emergency satellite telephone in order to find out more about these birds! Turns out they were from the northern-most tip of Hokkaido, and had been engaging in a pigeon race, when the big low-pressure zone sent them off track. They suggested we let the biggest and strongest bird fly home, and promissed to send a messenger all the way to Daiba to pick up the other two, very weak at that point.
May 15, sheltering from the high seas just offshore from Shiogama. More rain and cold. The biggest pigeon is ceremoniously taken out of the carboard box they are kept in, and thrown into the air. It did not appreciate this treatment, and after several unsuccessful pigeon-launching, it was decided all three pigeons would be delivered in Daiba.
May 18, three rested, large pampered pigeons, and their doting captain, at dock in Daiba. The two he is holding were last seen sitting atop the crane, showing no sign of getting ready to head North.
And as we all agreed that, although amusing, the report that we caught nothing but pigeons during our cruise would not go down well with office people back home, we did a bit of plankton and water sampling, too! Sampling which turned out, by pure chance, to be one of the most fruitful and interesting we've ever had!
We caught sharks, ...
... a beautiful and completely undamaged anglerfish, ...
... a siphonophore colody that had shed some parts, but was still in beautiful condition
(most detached bits were subsequently salvaged from the bottom of the sample bucket)
... and last but not least, a team capable of measuring up to the craziness of the cruise!
