Flailing is not a bad idea. I think you can hit on some things if you keep going. Also, if someone wants to summarize the current known situation, I will confirm or correct anything in it.
It’s a pretty good one, so I want to keep going.
If Elena and friends stop spending the money, will something bad happen to Mindy and friends?
Is the reason Elena and friends are spending money mostly to stop something bad happening to Mindy and friends?
If Elena and friends stop spending the money will they not be able to see or see less of Mindy and friends?
Do Mindy and friends migrate?
If they migrate, is it relevant to the puzzle?
kk
Are Elena and friends spending money to follow Mindy and friends on their migration?
Yes
Are they leading Mindy and friends on their migration?
Are they using ultralights or something similar?
Leading in ultralights?
Following in ultralights?
No to everything.
Do Mindy and her friends live south of the Equator?
Do Elena and her friends have to wear warm clothing as they follow Mindy and her friends?
No to both
Are Elena and friends studying the migration patterns of Mindy and friends?
Is studying migration patterns part of their job?
Are they physically following Mindy and friends?
Are they ‘following’ Mindy and friends using gps tags or similar tech?
kk
Are the gps tags or similar tech associated with the costing an arm and a leg lately?
Is it only ‘lately’ because something has changed?
Are the gps tags or similar tech malfunctioning ?
Do the gps tags or similar tech have to be replaced? Earlier than expected?
I’m sure you are getting there on this path.
Has climate change caused a change in migration habits?
I believe it has, actually. Human factors if not specifically climate change.
Is it more expensive to track them because their migration path has changed?
This is it!
I think we can call this one, then.
Min(dy) is a steppe eagle and a bunch of steppe eagles have been racking up roaming charges on their SMS tracking beacons. Elena is one of the scientists in Russia dealing with this.
I believe the cell phone company has waved the roaming charges.
Huzzah! That’s interesting that the trackers just use plain 'ol text messages on cellular networks.
If no one else has one, I can come with one for tonight. If anyone does, please post.
I have a quick and dirty one I was thinking about…
The more I close it, the wider it opens. Unless I close it all the way.