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See our science through the images below.

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Tropical mangrove forest with dense aboveground roots, with a channel of water in the middle
Mangrove forest dominated by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Mangrove forest dominated by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Mangrove forest dominated by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza

Mangrove forest on the island of Pohnpei, Micronesia, dominated by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (locally called sohmw). 

The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.

Mangrove forest on the island of Pohnpei, Micronesia, dominated by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (locally called sohmw). 

The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.

A native bee collects purple pollen from a sego lily
Native bee on sego lily in Castle Cliffs National Monument, NV
Native bee on sego lily in Castle Cliffs National Monument, NV
Native bee on sego lily in Castle Cliffs National Monument, NV

A native bee collects purple pollen from a sego lily in Castle Cliffs National Monument, NV.

A woman wearing a headset looks at equipment in a small plane.
Adjusting camera settings during an aerial survey
Adjusting camera settings during an aerial survey
Adjusting camera settings during an aerial survey

Biological Technician Laura (Laney) White adjusts camera settings during a 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.

Biological Technician Laura (Laney) White adjusts camera settings during a 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.

Cameras, boxes, and bags in the back of a small plane, with a pilot in the background
Up in the air for aerial photographic surveys
Up in the air for aerial photographic surveys
Up in the air for aerial photographic surveys

Pilot Barry expertly flies the plane at the correct survey speed and altitude to obtain crisp, clear images.

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.

Pilot Barry expertly flies the plane at the correct survey speed and altitude to obtain crisp, clear images.

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.

The ocean, and a section of coast with buildings, viewed from an airplane.
View of the ocean and coast from above
View of the ocean and coast from above
View of the ocean and coast from above

View of the ocean off the central California coast at the start of a flight.

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.

 

View of the ocean off the central California coast at the start of a flight.

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 dense field of wildflowers with coastal hills and the ocean in the background
Wildflowers in the Channel Islands
Wildflowers in the Channel Islands
Wildflowers in the Channel Islands

Spring wildflowers captured on California's Channel Islands.

The USGS Western Ecological Research Center's Dr. Kathryn McEachern studies plant ecology and restoration on the Channel Islands. Learn more here.

Spring wildflowers captured on California's Channel Islands.

The USGS Western Ecological Research Center's Dr. Kathryn McEachern studies plant ecology and restoration on the Channel Islands. Learn more here.

An enormous rock in the ocean viewed from above, with the coast behind and sunlight on the water.
Morro Bay from the air
Morro Bay from the air
Morro Bay from the air

Passing Morro Bay 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.

Passing Morro Bay 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.

Photo of museum specimens of Bombus affinis.
Museum Specimens of Bombus affinis
Museum Specimens of Bombus affinis
Museum Specimens of Bombus affinis

Photograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis

Photograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis

View of the ocean and coast from the air on a sunny day, with low clouds over land
Ocean and California coast from the air
Ocean and California coast from the air
Ocean and California coast from the air

Low clouds over land, but clears skies over the ocean during a test flight in March 2019.

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.

Low clouds over land, but clears skies over the ocean during a test flight in March 2019.

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.

Three cameras in front of a small window, with closed door covering the window behind it.
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey

Camera set-up in the plane before belly port doors are opened for 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.

Camera set-up in the plane before belly port doors are opened for 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.

Wireless monitor screen with a black-out curtain behind it, inside a small plane.
Gear used for aerial photographic surveys
Gear used for aerial photographic surveys
Gear used for aerial photographic surveys

Mount with black-out curtain used to hold a wireless monitor. This set-up allows technicians to interface with four mini-PCs in real time, allowing them to check data and image quality, and make adjustments when necessary.

Mount with black-out curtain used to hold a wireless monitor. This set-up allows technicians to interface with four mini-PCs in real time, allowing them to check data and image quality, and make adjustments when necessary.

Two people kneeling to collect a carcass
Measuring wildlife mortality
Measuring wildlife mortality
Measuring wildlife mortality

Scientists collect carcasses at a wind energy facility to estimate total wildlife mortality at a site.

Scientists collect carcasses at a wind energy facility to estimate total wildlife mortality at a site.

wind farm and photovoltaic cell array
Wind trubines and photovoltaic cell array and transmission lines
Wind trubines and photovoltaic cell array and transmission lines
Small airplane outside of a small airport
Preparing the aircraft to leave Oxnard Airport
Preparing the aircraft to leave Oxnard Airport
Preparing the aircraft to leave Oxnard Airport

Preparing the Partenavia aircraft to leave Oxnard Airport for a 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.

Preparing the Partenavia aircraft to leave Oxnard Airport for a 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.

Woman holds a white goose wearing a GPS collar
USGS field biologist Andrea Mott displays a recently marked goose
USGS field biologist Andrea Mott displays a recently marked goose
USGS field biologist Andrea Mott displays a recently marked goose

 USGS field biologist Andrea Mott displays a recently marked Lesser Snow Goose.

Two people installing equipment through the door of a small airplane.
Scientists install a camera for aerial photographic surveys
Scientists install a camera for aerial photographic surveys
Scientists install a camera for aerial photographic surveys

Biological Technician Laura (Laney) White and Research Biologist, Josh Adams install a newly modified camera mount for in flight testing. This mount tilts forward and back to minimize glare and improve image quality.

Biological Technician Laura (Laney) White and Research Biologist, Josh Adams install a newly modified camera mount for in flight testing. This mount tilts forward and back to minimize glare and improve image quality.

Two eagles fighting in the snow
Golden eagle fight
Golden eagle fight
Golden eagle fight

Two young golden eagles fight in the snow. In the winter, eagles tend to scavenge for food as prey become scarce.

Two young golden eagles fight in the snow. In the winter, eagles tend to scavenge for food as prey become scarce.

Three eagles fighting in the snow
Bald and golden eagle fight
Bald and golden eagle fight
Bald and golden eagle fight

A Basic II bald eagle on the left fights with a golden eagle. A Basic IV bald eagle flies away.

A Basic II bald eagle on the left fights with a golden eagle. A Basic IV bald eagle flies away.

Two eagles fight in the snow
Two golden eagles fighting
Two golden eagles fighting
Two golden eagles fighting

There are two juvenile golden eagles. Golden eagles are one of the largest birds in North America. They have a wingspan from 72.8 to 86.6 inches.

There are two juvenile golden eagles. Golden eagles are one of the largest birds in North America. They have a wingspan from 72.8 to 86.6 inches.

view of a golden eagle in the air from behind. Its wings are spread and there is snow on the ground.
Sub-adult golden eagle flies away
Sub-adult golden eagle flies away
Sub-adult golden eagle flies away

This is a young golden eagle in its third winter. Golden eagles generally don't reach adulthood until about their fifth year.

This is a young golden eagle in its third winter. Golden eagles generally don't reach adulthood until about their fifth year.

Who's who?  Front and back print casts of grizzly (top) and black bear (bottom).
Who's who? Print casts of grizzly (top) and black bear (bottom).
Who's who? Print casts of grizzly (top) and black bear (bottom).
Who's who? Print casts of grizzly (top) and black bear (bottom).

Who's who?  These are print casts of front and back paw prints of a grizzly bear (top) and black bear (bottom). The casts on the right are the front paws of each species; the casts on the left are the back.  How do you tell? 

Who's who?  These are print casts of front and back paw prints of a grizzly bear (top) and black bear (bottom). The casts on the right are the front paws of each species; the casts on the left are the back.  How do you tell?