Images

Warner Lakes in Oregon photographed from the eastern ridge looking west. In 2022 the lakes were dry due to an extended drought in the western U.S.

An immature golden eagle arrives at a baited trap as part of research effort to capture and satellite tag golden eagles for assessments of risks of wind development on the species.

USGS researchers preparing to plant cheatgrass seeds in an experimental plot near Boise, Idaho and look at the impact of temperature, planting density, and genetics on cheatgrass phenology. Holes are drilled in a grid to ensure cheatgrass seeds are planted with even spacing at the same depth. 25 seeds were planted per plot.

Targeted monitoring of Golden Eagle populations is an integral component of effective management, serving as a guide for deciding the appropriate course of management action, evaluating the effectiveness of such actions, and providing options to better achieve management goals.

Patrick Kolar, wildlife biologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, surveys for territorial pairs of golden eagles using binoculars and a spotting scope in the Diablo Range study area of central California.

A fisher moments after it was released into Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers were transported from Canada to Washington to help reestablish the population. 

A fisher is released into the wild near the staircase trail in Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers were transported from Canada and released in an effort to reestablish the population. 

Kurt Jenkins, Scientist Emeritus at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, unloads a fisher at a release site in Olympic National Park. Fishers were transported from Canada and released in Washington to help reestablish the population.

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies at the southern end of Ruby Valley in northeast Nevada. For more information visit the Ruby Lake NWR website.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2015 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2020 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Barred owls spread west during the 1900s and today completely overlap the range of the northern spotted owl.

USGS scientists setting up experimental plots in a previously burned site near Boise, Idaho. Fencing keeps livestock from disturbing the site. The experiment was replicated at a second site in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The team is looking at the impact of temperature, planting density, and genetics on the timing of the cheatgrass life cycle.

Two Columbian black-tailed deer are photographed by a trail camera on the former Mills reservoir by the Elwha River. Trail cameras are used to document wildlife recovery and use of this restored habitat post-dam removal.

A Columbian black-tailed deer photographed by a trail cam in the fall of 2016 on the site of the former Mills Reservoir on the Elwha River. The remnants of the Glines Dam are visible in the background.

A giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) slithering through grass, photographed during field work in western Oregon.

A giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) curled up in dry grass in Oregon, periscoping its head.

A gravid (carrying eggs) female giant garter snake photographed in a grassy field in Oregon.

A giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) curled up in a field of dry grass in Oregon.

A giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) with orange coloration, photographed during field work in Oregon.

An autonomous recording unit--or ARU--deployed at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson, Oregon. The ARU is set to record 5-10 minutes of audio every 30 minutes during the time of day when male bullfrogs exhibit their loud breeding calls. Audio evidence of bullfrog presence can be used for early response to invasion.