Images

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) float in Morro Bay, CA.

USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations. 

Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.

USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.

Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.

USGS jeep on exposed river rocks, Baja California, Mexico.

Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.