A few pics from Australia

It was a great trip! These photos are from our week-long vacation up in Shark Bay. (No, we didn't go swimming there -- just waded in far enough to check out the dolphins in the shallows.) Then we also spent another 2 weeks in Perth, mostly working but at least getting a chance to visit. We had a very nice time.

In addition to the various fauna pictured, we also saw stromatolites (rocky colonies made by some of the oldest known organisms on earth), emus, pelicans, and a gazillion shore crabs, and we managed to catch a pink snapper (undersized) and a squid. I felt bad about keeping the squid because I'd heard that cephalopods were smart, so we threw it back... but when we caught the same squid a second time it was dinner, guilt free. It was delicious.

Now I'm back in Portland, getting ready for the start of classes (next week) and looking ahead to PhD and grant applications this fall (ugh). James hopes to finish in January, but if he's not done by March I think he gets deported or something so either way, the end is near.

I won't be making it to Evanston for the memorial due to the first week of my Friday/Saturday class. I'll be thinking of you all, and expect to see a full report up here!

Best to everybody (especially to the new bodies!),
Karen