Lichen and Algae and Water Bears, Oh My!

Today was another very busy day -- Professor Timoshkin's three
excellent graduate students, Yulia, Olya, and Katya, each presented on
their fields of research. Afterward, they lead us out to the field for
first-hand experience on their sampling methods. After collecting
samples we brought them back to the lab and looked at what we found,
including the famous tardigrade, or "water bear" (see picture, above,
through microscope, but also look them up! They're so cool!)! We
looked at several different species and life stages of algae and worms
as well. In the afternoon, we got more of our own data collection and
analysis done for our field projects. Tonight we will build a bonfire
to relax after a long day of work and share some time with our friend
and translator, Vitya, who will leave us tomorrow to go to Moscow.
Annie sends her love to her family! Maddy does as well, and wants the
fam to know she is alive and well, just missing Italian food (but
Russian food is great too). Annie misses sriracha but other than that
she's doing great.
Maddy and Annie