Images

Honey bees play a major role in pollinating the world’s plants, including those we eat regularly. However, land-use changes that decrease flower abundance can affect bee health and pollination services.

Flock of unidentified birds in water with Mangroves at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Pair of Greater White-fronted Geese at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.

 Lesser Snow Goose at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.

When looking for a place to set up a capture location, biologists look for existing bear sign such as scratches on trees and bear scat.  Sometimes traps are set in areas that have no obvious bear sign to determine if indeed bears are present.

When looking for a place to set up a capture location, biologists look for existing bear sign such as scratches on trees and bear scat.  Sometimes traps are set in areas that have no obvious bear sign to determine if indeed bears are present.

Flock of Ross’s Geese at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.

The Hawaiian ‘I‘iwi, a native forest bird species only found in the Hawaiian Islands. 

Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling

USGS scientist sampling water at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge for analysis of avian influenza to determine if wild bird habitat is a reservoir of the virus.  

The Eastern, migratory population of monarch butterflies has declined by about 80 percent over the last decade.

A recently emerged mayfly collected downstream of the Cinnabar mercury mine site in central Idaho. 

Bats benefit from maintaining a close-knit roosting group because they increase reproductive success and it is important for rearing pups.

Experimental laboratory setup to study uranium in aquatic organisms. Bottles contain artificial freshwater amended with dissolved organic matter and a range of uranium concentrations.

Student dusts the Model A Ford coupe used by USGS scientists from the 1930s to 1965. 

The Smithsonian Natural History Museum offers hands-on learning experiences.

USGS biologist Gretchen Roffler weighs a newborn caribou calf in Denali National Park, Alaska.

USGS scientist Layne Adams places a radiocollar on a sedated large bull caribou in Denali National Park, Alaska. 

The pallid sturgeon is an endangered riverine sturgeon with historical distribution restricted to parts of the Yellowstone, Missouri, Mississippi, and Atchafalaya Rivers. Although rare, pallid sturgeon in the lower Mississippi River appear to be naturally recruiting, and information about habitat use is important to conserve this species.

Yukon River freezing up at Pilot Station, AK

David Pelunis-Messier and Milton Roberts navigating on the Tanana River, a main tributary of the Yukon River. The two are taking part in the Yukon River permafrost study.