Marine science snapshots: Fieldwork, wildlife, and community at Moss Landing Marine Labs

By Lauren Cooley, MLML Vertebrate Ecology Lab

While working on the latest Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Annual Report, my friend and fellow MLML student employee Caroline Rodriguez collected a bunch of amazing photos from the Moss community. While she used many of the best shots in the final report (check it out here!), there simply wasn't enough room for all of the great photos she had amassed. So Caroline reached out to me and asked if I was interested in compiling all these images into a post on The Drop-In blog. And as you can probably guess since you are reading that very post, I said yes!

After a year of mostly staring at screens and working from home, looking through these images of fieldwork, amazing animals, and beautiful scenery taken by my wonderful peers, professors, and colleagues over the last few years has been a great reminder of why I chose to come to MLML in the first place. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. So, without further ado, I present a glimpse into the highlights of life at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories as told by photos from the MLML community.

If there's one thing that we love at MLML, it's fieldwork! From Monterey Bay to Catalina Island to the Arctic, MLML folks are often at their happiest out in the field.

Credit: Ivano Aiello
Credit: Monica Appiano
Credit: Ann Bishop
Credit: Diana Steller
Credit: Ann Bishop

If you ask me, one of the best things about marine science is getting to work outside. Looking through these photos, I realized that I am definitely not the only one who enjoys all the beautiful views and amazing wildlife we encounter as marine scientists!

From California sea lions...

Credit: Sharon Hsu

to abalone...

Credit: Emily Pierce

to polar bears...

Credit: Amanda Camarato

to jellyfish...

Credit: Lindsay Cooper

and everything in between!

Credit: Sharon Hsu
Credit: Emily Pierce
Credit: Mina Sattari

And while we have spent most of this year apart, working remotely in our separate homes, I know that better days are coming and soon we will all be back together again! 

Credit: Amanda Kahn
Credit: Lindsay Cooper
Credit: Ann Bishop

Thank you to everyone (if there are any of you) who made it to end of this long and slightly sappy blogpost. On behalf of The Drop-In team, I'm wishing you all a safe and festive holiday season and a happy new year!

Humpback whale dives in front of MLML. Credit: Erica Page