Change of Seasons

It is getting slowly warmer (still below freezing for the highs) and staying lighter longer during my stay. It is fairly bright at 4am, no sun yet though, and the evenings are in twilight until past 9pm.

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A CAT of a different breed

Low slung for the special purpose of going underground, this truck style is very different than the surface fleet I have gotten use to being around over the past few years.  From the numerous scrapes and bumps, it is obvious these trucks are designed to take the abuse of rubbing against rock in tight spaces

Forgotten Exits

A set of double doors is getting unburied this week by the maintenance team.  All of the exit doors stay cleared year round but this set is mostly used for bringing large material (piping mostly) in and out of the corridor that connects the camp, mill and offices.  The blocks appear to be heavy ice but they are very light---think foam blocks and you won't be far off.  The ice is an accumulation from months of very light, wind blown snow.

Hydroponics-R-Us

The team at the mine is constantly trying new things which is good for what I do for a living :) Hydroponics has been discussed not only because of the expense of flying vegetables to the mine but the "freshness" factor as well. A hydroponic pilot project in a shipping container is beginning to take shape with the lighting still to be installed. The maintenance lead is proudly explaining the system as it has progressed so far and some of the next steps in the process. Tomatoes, peppers and lettuce have been discussed as potential first crops----looks like its salsa time!

Russian Sun Dial

My friend Igor soaking up some mid day rays.....got to keep that vitamin D up!

Sunset over the camp

The sun sets over the mining camp on a brisk Spring evening above the Arctic Circle. Obviously it is still cold---typically -20C to -25C.

Easy On and Off

Getting on and off this turboprop is a piece of cake. Luggage can be an issue coming out of one of the front doors though. Weather here is still a bit on the cold side -20C but the skies are much sunnier and the days longer.

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Magadan Airport

I've blogged before about the Magadan airport. The facility is a converted Soviet air force base originally built for jet interceptors. The main atrium is a tribute to the 50's and 60's euro-styling in vogue at the time it was built---a style that is still popular still in some areas I have visited. Modern convenience shops have found places to set up business in the public areas, some areas have had a facelift but the basic architecture remains.

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No Photos Posting :(

Brett from blogger Google Employee The Blogger Team 4/8/11

Alright, sounds like we didn't resolve the underlying issue for everyone. We're taking another dive into the issue and will report back as soon as we have another update. 

Thanks for your patience in the meantime!

Let me grab the house key....

Ever wonder where those funny shaped "magical" keys we all see in the movies come from? One source would be Magadan, Russia where I'll be heading tonight from Moscow..... A locksmith is really a locksmith in Siberia :)

Watch Out World

Here comes a fledgling Skyhawk!!!!!

Almost there...

Still in the process of molting into his bright summer colors to impress the ladies, a male Amrican Goldfinch throws a few seeds back at the feeder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Goldfinch

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A Pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds

Infrequent visitors to the feeder, this pair is up to no good. I'm sure they are just hanging out to follow the other songbirds around to their nests, lay a few eggs and then out of the woods back to the fields.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown-headed_Cowbird

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Another Sign of Spring

All of the trees are coming to life, just some do it a little better than others :)

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Chilean Lube Team Likes to Celebrate!

The fixed plant lubrication guys seemed to be a happy bunch. All smiles, showing off their PM schedules and very proud of the work that they did to keep the crushing system running day in and out. I noticed they had their Christmas decorations up and asked about not having any snow in December. They told me that it would feel strange to have snow during Christmas!

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Chileans are very cool people :)

Anyone can see that the Chileans have it going on!!

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Tulips say its Spring!

One of the tulips opened up today----so it got it's picture taken of course :)

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Last few days of an era...

With the AM of the BAM crew getting their licenses soon, it is with mixed emotions as I await the after school bell. Soon I'll just sit at home (and count the minutes) until they appear in the driveway!!

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Friday Night Flight

Tonight's ride to the Big D......

Room with a View

The residents of Copiapo begin their Friday. The climate here is subtropical with most of the vegetation recognizable by yours truly from his native Florida.