Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Images intro.
Filter Total Items: 416
Image: Getting the Shot, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park.
Getting the Shot, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park.
Getting the Shot, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park.
Getting the Shot, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park.

USGS scientist shoots a repeat photograph of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to illustrate glacial recession due to impacts of climate change.  *note – logo on scientists hat is logo from USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, not private.

USGS scientist shoots a repeat photograph of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to illustrate glacial recession due to impacts of climate change.  *note – logo on scientists hat is logo from USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, not private.

Whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Whitebark pine cone and seeds.

Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.

Telemetry by air
Telemetry by air
Telemetry by air

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane.  The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane.  The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.

Telemetry by foot
Telemetry by foot
Telemetry by foot

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.   

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.   

At the capture site
At the capture site
At the capture site

At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data. 

At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data. 

Culvert trap and bait
Culvert trap and bait
Culvert trap and bait

Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps. 

Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps. 

Culvert trap
Culvert trap
Culvert trap

Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from.  Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured.  Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry. 

Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from.  Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured.  Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry. 

Measuring the bear's head length
Measuring the bear's head length
Measuring the bear's head length

A biologist measures a grizzly bear’s head length.

Assessing body fat percentage of grizzly bear
Assessing body fat percentage of grizzly bear
Assessing body fat percentage of grizzly bear

Field personnel use bioelectrical impedance to assess body fat percentage of captured bears.  The procedure is similar to how body fat is measured in humans and is based on the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small, harmless electrical signal.

Field personnel use bioelectrical impedance to assess body fat percentage of captured bears.  The procedure is similar to how body fat is measured in humans and is based on the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small, harmless electrical signal.

Getting set up
Getting set up
Getting set up

Biologists are very careful to keep the grizzly bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data.  Vital signs are monitored throughout the handling period. 

Biologists are very careful to keep the grizzly bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data.  Vital signs are monitored throughout the handling period. 

Measuring the bear's body length
Measuring the bear's body length
Measuring the bear's body length

Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s body length.

Close up
Close up
Close up

The kerchief over the grizzly bear’s eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.  

The kerchief over the grizzly bear’s eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.  

Preparing for collection of samples
Preparing for collection of samples
Preparing for collection of samples

A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured.  Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear,  and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc.  Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.

A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured.  Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear,  and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc.  Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.

An immobilized bear.
An immobilized bear.
An immobilized bear.

Biologists use a syringe pole to immobilize the captured grizzly bear.  It takes approximately 10 minutes for a bear to become immobilized.  

Biologists use a syringe pole to immobilize the captured grizzly bear.  It takes approximately 10 minutes for a bear to become immobilized.  

Ready to remove from the trap
Ready to remove from the trap
Ready to remove from the trap

Biologists have immobilized the bear and prepare to lift it out of the trap and onto the tarp for data collection.  Once on the tarp the bear is easier to move. 

Biologists have immobilized the bear and prepare to lift it out of the trap and onto the tarp for data collection.  Once on the tarp the bear is easier to move. 

Fitting a radio collar
Fitting a radio collar
Fitting a radio collar

Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar.  Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.

Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar.  Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.

Measuring the bear's paw
Measuring the bear's paw
Measuring the bear's paw

Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s paw width. 

Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s paw width. 

Getting the bear's weight
Getting the bear's weight
Getting the bear's weight

One of the first measurements taken is the bear’s weight using a quadpod and electronic scale. 

One of the first measurements taken is the bear’s weight using a quadpod and electronic scale. 

scientist in USGS tshirt and hat on top mountain side taking pictures for repeat photography set
Getting the Shot
Getting the Shot
Getting the Shot

USGS scientist shoots a repeat photograph of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to illustrate glacial recession due to impacts of climate change.

USGS scientist shoots a repeat photograph of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to illustrate glacial recession due to impacts of climate change.

Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana.
Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana.
Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana.

Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana.

Top of the world.
Top of the world.
Top of the world.

USGS scientist Greg Pederson and field collaborator set up a repeat photograph in Glacier National Park.  

USGS scientist Greg Pederson and field collaborator set up a repeat photograph in Glacier National Park.