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A view through the belly port of a plane while cameras collect images during an aerial photographic survey.
The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.
A view through the belly port of a plane while cameras collect images during an aerial photographic survey.
The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.
USGS scientist Zach Wenderott extracts a tree core from a charred ponderosa pine in Lassen National Park as part of a study of how prescribed fire influences tree growth.
USGS scientist Zach Wenderott extracts a tree core from a charred ponderosa pine in Lassen National Park as part of a study of how prescribed fire influences tree growth.
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem extracts a core sample from a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) that has experienced
prescribed fire in Lassen National Park, CA.
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem extracts a core sample from a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) that has experienced
prescribed fire in Lassen National Park, CA.
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem cores a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Lassen National Park, CA.
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem cores a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Lassen National Park, CA.
Scientists use a tool called an increment borer to remove cyllindrical tree cores from living trees. The cores show the tree's rings and help scientists learn about its growth.
Scientists use a tool called an increment borer to remove cyllindrical tree cores from living trees. The cores show the tree's rings and help scientists learn about its growth.
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled.
A child peers at an unfertilized chicken egg at the USGS outreach booth, 2018 Suisun Marsh Field Day. USGS waterfowl ecologists use this method to check the development of a fetal duckling in the field.
*Note: photo taken with permission of parent.
A child peers at an unfertilized chicken egg at the USGS outreach booth, 2018 Suisun Marsh Field Day. USGS waterfowl ecologists use this method to check the development of a fetal duckling in the field.
*Note: photo taken with permission of parent.
Vehicles drive on an elevated road segment that allows amphibians and reptiles to pass safely beneath and cross the road.
Vehicles drive on an elevated road segment that allows amphibians and reptiles to pass safely beneath and cross the road.
A Yosemite toad on a road. Amphibians and reptiles are particularly susceptible to negative effects of roads within their habitat. Many are slow moving, do not avoid roads, and are simply too small for drivers to see and avoid. During rains many amphibians travel long distances regardless of the presence of intersecting roadways.
A Yosemite toad on a road. Amphibians and reptiles are particularly susceptible to negative effects of roads within their habitat. Many are slow moving, do not avoid roads, and are simply too small for drivers to see and avoid. During rains many amphibians travel long distances regardless of the presence of intersecting roadways.
U.S. Forest Service researcher Stephanie Barnes holds a rare Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus).
U.S. Forest Service researcher Stephanie Barnes holds a rare Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus).
A Yosemite toad looks through mesh fencing alongside a road used to mitigate negative road impacts and guide amphibians towards safe passages.
A Yosemite toad looks through mesh fencing alongside a road used to mitigate negative road impacts and guide amphibians towards safe passages.
Threatened giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas). This semi-aquatic snake lives in rice fields and the remaining wetlands of California's Central Valley.
Threatened giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas). This semi-aquatic snake lives in rice fields and the remaining wetlands of California's Central Valley.
A researcher holds a cinnamon teal duck wearing a GPS tracker
A researcher holds a cinnamon teal duck wearing a GPS tracker
USGS biologists with the Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) climb the upper slopes of False Klamath Rock, off the California coast.
USGS biologists with the Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) climb the upper slopes of False Klamath Rock, off the California coast.
Fresh excavation of a storm-petrel nesting burrow on an island in Humboldt County. Note the fresh dirt that has been scraped by the bird onto grass in front of the burrow entrance.
Fresh excavation of a storm-petrel nesting burrow on an island in Humboldt County. Note the fresh dirt that has been scraped by the bird onto grass in front of the burrow entrance.
A biologist indicates the location of an acoustic monitoring unit deployed on an island in Humboldt County to listen for Ashy storm-petrels that nest in burrows on the grassy slopes below.
A biologist indicates the location of an acoustic monitoring unit deployed on an island in Humboldt County to listen for Ashy storm-petrels that nest in burrows on the grassy slopes below.
USGS geogrpaher Jon Felis wtih Piedras Blancas Rock and a lighthouse in the background, San Luis Obisbo County, CA.
USGS geogrpaher Jon Felis wtih Piedras Blancas Rock and a lighthouse in the background, San Luis Obisbo County, CA.
Sunrise on the water during field work.
Sunrise on the water during field work.
An acoustic monitor deployed on False Klamath Rock in Del Norte County, with snowy mountains in the background! The unit is forest green with a gray battery box and partially hidden under rocks.
An acoustic monitor deployed on False Klamath Rock in Del Norte County, with snowy mountains in the background! The unit is forest green with a gray battery box and partially hidden under rocks.
Greater White-fronted Goose marked with GSM/GPS collar is ready for release in the Sacramento Valley.
Greater White-fronted Goose marked with GSM/GPS collar is ready for release in the Sacramento Valley.
USGS wildlife biologist Emma Kelsey searches for potential Ashy storm-petrel nesting habitat on Piedras Blancas rock, off the California coast. Ashy storm-petrels make their home in burrows and crevices on offshore rocks and islands, and only enter and leave nests under the cover of darkness.
USGS wildlife biologist Emma Kelsey searches for potential Ashy storm-petrel nesting habitat on Piedras Blancas rock, off the California coast. Ashy storm-petrels make their home in burrows and crevices on offshore rocks and islands, and only enter and leave nests under the cover of darkness.