Melinda Fowler from San Nicolas Island, CA -- Being a field researcher can be incredibly challenging.  We are still here on San Nicolas Island, attempting to catch the 10 sea lions we deployed satellite tags on back in November.  So far, its been a great success - we've caught 6 of the 10 with a week left to go!  Still, at times it can be frustrating.  

Sometimes, you can see the sea lion, but she is either in a spot to close to the water, too dangerous to catch, or in the middle of too many other animals, and we have to crawl back, admitting defeat - at least for the moment!

Phil Thorson and I crawl back up the beach after the sea lion we were after slipped into the water before we had a chance to catch her.  Photo: Sara Maxwell

Other times, things are just out of our control, like when the van breaks down on the side of a rather large hill (though thankfully at the switchback of the hill!). 

Sam Simmons, Phil Thorson and I throw up our hands at the van as she breaks down a second time on the same day! 

One new alternator later, and lots of help from our colleagues at the Navy base and Wildlife Research Institute (thank you Sean and Franchesca!), she is back up and running again, but not without a lot of stress and headaches.

Still, at the end of the day, we get to eat lunch in a pretty amazing place, so I can't complain too much!

Phil Thorson, Sam Simmons and I enjoy a quick break and a sandwich while enjoying the view.  Photo: Sara Maxwell