Evening sky

The absence of life in Antarctica, more specifically at SANAE, is sometimes still startling.  Occasionally you see a small puddle of water  (few times in summer) or you look in between rocks expecting to see insects or some form of life but you are always met with the sterility of this land.  There are two exceptions, namely an occasional bird and lichen, which is a form of algae growing on some rocks.  Still you are sometimes surprised to not see some critter where you have gotten used to them.  No ants, no flies, no mozzies.  Colds and flu are also rare so I guess there are not many bacteria or viruses floating around.  It probably emphasises one of the unique facets of Antarctica, bugs cannot survive here thus, unsupported life is virtually impossible.