Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

Filter Total Items: 21558
Black and white thermal image of Kilauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit

The December 18 overflight provided updated thermal images of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the warm surface of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A band of warm temperatures persists along the new cliff formed during the 2018 subsidence.

The December 18 overflight provided updated thermal images of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the warm surface of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A band of warm temperatures persists along the new cliff formed during the 2018 subsidence.

Color photograph of volcanic crater lake
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano

The growing lake of groundwater within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano as it looked on December 18, 2019. 

The growing lake of groundwater within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano as it looked on December 18, 2019. 

​​​​​​​New hydrotechs gage inspection via boat
​​​​​​​New hydrotechs gage inspection via boat
​​​​​​​New hydrotechs gage inspection via boat
​​​​​​​New hydrotechs gage inspection via boat

Photo Contest Winner | Dec. 2019 | Honorable Mention
New hydrotechs, Taylor and Autumn, gage inspection via boat

Photo Contest Winner | Dec. 2019 | Honorable Mention
New hydrotechs, Taylor and Autumn, gage inspection via boat

close up of image
(beetle), Back, Judelot Farm, Maryland
(beetle), Back, Judelot Farm, Maryland
(beetle), Back, Judelot Farm, Maryland

Unknown Beetle. Found on Andelot Farms in Kent County. I am not sure what genus this is. Seems like Acmaeodera, but it doesn't match and of the region's species I know. Captured in June. Photographed by Brooke Alexander.

Unknown Beetle. Found on Andelot Farms in Kent County. I am not sure what genus this is. Seems like Acmaeodera, but it doesn't match and of the region's species I know. Captured in June. Photographed by Brooke Alexander.

close up of image
10x Nomada eye
10x Nomada eye
10x Nomada eye

New Lense set up! This is my first stack from a new lens set up that I learned from Johan Ingles-Le Nobel's lovely Extreme Macro layout.

New Lense set up! This is my first stack from a new lens set up that I learned from Johan Ingles-Le Nobel's lovely Extreme Macro layout.

close up of image
1Andrena-nigrihirta,-female,-back
1Andrena-nigrihirta,-female,-back
1Andrena-nigrihirta,-female,-back

Andrena nigrihirta, female, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

close up of image
2013LightsOutDC Stiched circle
2013LightsOutDC Stiched circle
2013LightsOutDC Stiched circle

Sample of Dead Birds that struck buildings in Washington D.C. during the Fall and Spring of 2012 in a short stretch of streets from Union Station to the Convention Center, photo stitched together from 18 separate hi res shots.

Sample of Dead Birds that struck buildings in Washington D.C. during the Fall and Spring of 2012 in a short stretch of streets from Union Station to the Convention Center, photo stitched together from 18 separate hi res shots.

close up of image
2014 Lights Out DC Birds
2014 Lights Out DC Birds
2014 Lights Out DC Birds

Here lie the birds killed while striking a set of buildings surveyed during the migration season in 2013 in Washington D.C. The birds were picked up by the group Lights Out Washington D.C.

Here lie the birds killed while striking a set of buildings surveyed during the migration season in 2013 in Washington D.C. The birds were picked up by the group Lights Out Washington D.C.

close up of image
A. cressonii, F, Side, MD
A. cressonii, F, Side, MD
A. cressonii, F, Side, MD

Catching up, again, with our backlog of pictures. Here is one of the most common Andrena species in the mid-Atlantic. Andrena cressonii. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

Catching up, again, with our backlog of pictures. Here is one of the most common Andrena species in the mid-Atlantic. Andrena cressonii. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

close up of image
Acanalonia bivittata, side, Upper Marlboro, MD
Acanalonia bivittata, side, Upper Marlboro, MD
Acanalonia bivittata, side, Upper Marlboro, MD

The very common Two-striped Planthopper, Notice the veining in the wing that mimics the veins of a very tiny leaf.

The very common Two-striped Planthopper, Notice the veining in the wing that mimics the veins of a very tiny leaf.

close up of image
Acantheucoeal species, USDA Buffington
Acantheucoeal species, USDA Buffington
Acantheucoeal species, USDA Buffington

This is picture 1 from a 12 picture series by Matt Buffington at the USDA Parastitic Hymentoptera group at the Smithsonian. Matt's group uses a system very similar to ours to photograph and stack this super tiny wasp. Perhaps one of the most spectacular of the eucoiline wasps out there, species of Acantheucoela are native to South America.

This is picture 1 from a 12 picture series by Matt Buffington at the USDA Parastitic Hymentoptera group at the Smithsonian. Matt's group uses a system very similar to ours to photograph and stack this super tiny wasp. Perhaps one of the most spectacular of the eucoiline wasps out there, species of Acantheucoela are native to South America.

close up of image
Acanthopus excellens, f, back, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, back, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, back, brasil

Monster cleptoparasite, this dramatic species is a nest parasite of bees in the genus Centris and is endemic to South America. Note the one shot of the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors.

Monster cleptoparasite, this dramatic species is a nest parasite of bees in the genus Centris and is endemic to South America. Note the one shot of the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors.

close up of image
Acanthopus excellens, f, face, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, face, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, face, brasil

Monster cleptoparasite, this dramatic species is a nest parasite of bees in the genus Centris and is endemic to South America. Note the one shot of the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors.

Monster cleptoparasite, this dramatic species is a nest parasite of bees in the genus Centris and is endemic to South America. Note the one shot of the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors.

close up of image
Acanthopus excellens, f, feature, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, feature, brasil
Acanthopus excellens, f, feature, brasil

Bee tool, from a monster cleptoparasite, endemic to South America. Note the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions of Centris, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors. From the Packer Lab.

Bee tool, from a monster cleptoparasite, endemic to South America. Note the lovely expanded tibial spurs. I do not know their function, but it may have to do with nest invasions of Centris, either digging or gripping the walls of the nest. Lovely metallic blue / purple colors. From the Packer Lab.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, pistilate flr., 3, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, pistilate flr., 3, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, pistilate flr., 3, Howard County, Md,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 2, Howard County, MD,
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 2, Howard County, MD,
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 2, Howard County, MD,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 5, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 5, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, pistillate flr. 5, Howard County, Md,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 2, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 2, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 2, Howard County, Md,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 4, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 4, Howard County, Md,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr. 4, Howard County, Md,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

close up of image
Acer rubrum, staminate flr., Howard County, MD,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr., Howard County, MD,
Acer rubrum, staminate flr., Howard County, MD,

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.

The red maple, Acer rubrum, often one of the most dominant trees in deciduous woods in the East. It blooms very early in the spring and provides pollen and nectar to the set of bees, and flower flies, that come out early.