Images

Orange seashell of a Giant lions-paw (Nodipecten subnodosus). Species identification is tentative.

Orange seashell of a Giant lions-paw (Nodipecten subnodosus). Species identification is tentative.

Ornamented seashell of a fluted Tridacna. Tentatively identified as Tridacna squamosa.

USGS scientists dig soil pits in Nevada's Amargosa Desert to study the distribution of natural perchlorate and to determine the atmospheric-soil-plant interactions that affected perchlorate's cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem.


Amargosa Desert, Nevada

~17 km south of Beatty; ~20 km east of Death Valley National Park.

Red-spotted newt in the leaf litter along a trail in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.

USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.

A Fence Lizard (tentative identification) on the side of a tree trunk near the Potomac River.

Rocks uncovered by a drought and a lower level of the Potomac River on Olmsted Island at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland. The holes in the center rock are caused by circulating water holding a smaller rock or pebble up against the large rock, and the resulting friction eroding a "pothole," into the larger rock.

Rocks uncovered by a drought and a lower level of the Potamac River, at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland. The holes in the center rock are caused by circulating water holding a smaller rock or pebble up against the large rock, and the resulting friction eroding a "pothole," into the larger rock.

Dr. David Blehert working in his laboratory at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.

Dr. David Blehert working in his laboratory at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.

USGS wildlife disease specialist Kim Miller outside of an abandoned mine where bats hibernate in NY.

Kim Miller collecting environmental samples in an abandoned mine where bats hibernate in NY

Affected WNS bats in MA mine 2008.

USGS wildlife disease specialist Kim Miller collecting environmental samples in an abandoned mine where bats hibernate in New York.

USGS wildlife disease specialist Kim Miller outside of an abandoned mine where bats hibernate in New York.

Wing damage from fungus in little brown bat.

This bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) was marked with a satellite transmitter at Qinghai Lake, China, in an effort to understand the role that wild birds play in avian influenza.

Wing damage from fungus in little brown bat.

USGS biologists swab a hen mallard duck for avian influenza in Rio Grande County, Colorado.