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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.

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Image: Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)

Cicada exoskeleton and live cicada atop leaves. Cicadas (Cicadidae, Magicicada) are 13- and 17- year periodical cicadas of North America. These insects display a unique combination of long life cycles, periodicity, and mass emergences. Often called "locusts," but they are not locusts; locusts are "grasshopper-like" and belong to the order Orthoptera.

Cicada exoskeleton and live cicada atop leaves. Cicadas (Cicadidae, Magicicada) are 13- and 17- year periodical cicadas of North America. These insects display a unique combination of long life cycles, periodicity, and mass emergences. Often called "locusts," but they are not locusts; locusts are "grasshopper-like" and belong to the order Orthoptera.

Image: Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)
Cicada (Magicicada sp.)

Cicada exoskeletons on forest floor. Cicadas (Cicadidae, Magicicada) are 13- and 17- year periodical cicadas of North America. These insects display a unique combination of long life cycles, periodicity, and mass emergences. Often called "locusts," but they are not locusts; locusts are "grasshopper-like" and belong to the order Orthoptera.

Cicada exoskeletons on forest floor. Cicadas (Cicadidae, Magicicada) are 13- and 17- year periodical cicadas of North America. These insects display a unique combination of long life cycles, periodicity, and mass emergences. Often called "locusts," but they are not locusts; locusts are "grasshopper-like" and belong to the order Orthoptera.

Image: NBII Collaboration with Guyra Paraguay
NBII Collaboration with Guyra Paraguay
NBII Collaboration with Guyra Paraguay
NBII Collaboration with Guyra Paraguay

NBII and Guyra Paraguay are collaborating on two biodiversity informatics projects in Paraguay. NBII is providing funding and expertise in metadata, cataloguing, and information delivery. Guyra Paraguay is a small NGO specializing in species and landscape-level conservation. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

NBII and Guyra Paraguay are collaborating on two biodiversity informatics projects in Paraguay. NBII is providing funding and expertise in metadata, cataloguing, and information delivery. Guyra Paraguay is a small NGO specializing in species and landscape-level conservation. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

Image: Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart

Ox-pulled carts are still used on rural dirt roads in Paraguay. The oxen push against a rough log laid in front of their withers. Large wooden wheels work well on dry roads. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

Ox-pulled carts are still used on rural dirt roads in Paraguay. The oxen push against a rough log laid in front of their withers. Large wooden wheels work well on dry roads. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

Image: Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart
Oxen Pulling Cart

Ox-pulled carts are still used on rural dirt roads in Paraguay. The oxen push against a rough log laid in front of their withers. Large wooden wheels work well on dry roads. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

Ox-pulled carts are still used on rural dirt roads in Paraguay. The oxen push against a rough log laid in front of their withers. Large wooden wheels work well on dry roads. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W.

Image: Paraguayan Horse Tack and Ranch Hand
Paraguayan Horse Tack and Ranch Hand
Paraguayan Horse Tack and Ranch Hand
Paraguayan Horse Tack and Ranch Hand

Paraguayan cowboys often make their own rawhide tack. The cowboy in this picture is braiding rawhide tied to a tree. The cowboys' quarters can be seen in the background. The typical ranch horse in Paraguay is the "criollo". Paraguayan cowboys use a version of the typical saddle from southern South America.

Paraguayan cowboys often make their own rawhide tack. The cowboy in this picture is braiding rawhide tied to a tree. The cowboys' quarters can be seen in the background. The typical ranch horse in Paraguay is the "criollo". Paraguayan cowboys use a version of the typical saddle from southern South America.

Image: Termite Nest in Pasture in Southern Paraguay
Termite Nest in Pasture in Southern Paraguay
Termite Nest in Pasture in Southern Paraguay
Termite Nest in Pasture in Southern Paraguay

Termite nest in pasture near Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Termite nest in pasture near Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Image: Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay

Wetland between levee and Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Wetland between levee and Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Image: Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay
Wetland Along Levee in Southern Paraguay

Wetland between levee and Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Wetland between levee and Tebicuary river. The Ñeembucú Region is typified by extensive grasslands and wetlands. Near 26°34’52’’S, 56°49’18’’W. (Portion of text from: Guyra Paraguay 2004, Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, Paraguay.)

Marrowstone Marine Field Station
Marrowstone Marine Field Station
Marrowstone Marine Field Station
Marrowstone Marine Field Station

Image of the Western Fisheries Research Center, Marrowstone Marine Field Station.  Looking east toward Puget Sound.

Image of the Western Fisheries Research Center, Marrowstone Marine Field Station.  Looking east toward Puget Sound.

Image: Great Black-Hawk in Snag
Great Black-Hawk in Snag
Great Black-Hawk in Snag
Great Black-Hawk in Snag

Great black-hawk in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol, Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Great black-hawk in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol, Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Image: Great Black-hawk in Snag
Great Black-hawk in Snag
Great Black-hawk in Snag
Great Black-hawk in Snag

Great black-hawk perched in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Great black-hawk perched in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Image: Great Black-hawk Perched in Snag
Great Black-hawk Perched in Snag
Great Black-hawk Perched in Snag
Great Black-hawk Perched in Snag

Great black-hawk perched in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol, Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Great black-hawk perched in snag near wetland area of Estancia El Trebol, Bajo Chaco, Paraguay. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Humid Forest, Gallery Forest, Wetlands, and Dry Forest. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Image: Ant Hill in Pantanal
Ant Hill in Pantanal
Ant Hill in Pantanal
Ant Hill in Pantanal

Ant hill with flowers in Copernicia alba palm savannah near the Rio Negro river. Yellow flowers are 2 species of Asteraceae, blue flowers are a Commelina spp. Located near RAMSAR site and Rio Negro National Park in the Pantanal ecoregion, near the border between Paraguay and Bolivia.

Ant hill with flowers in Copernicia alba palm savannah near the Rio Negro river. Yellow flowers are 2 species of Asteraceae, blue flowers are a Commelina spp. Located near RAMSAR site and Rio Negro National Park in the Pantanal ecoregion, near the border between Paraguay and Bolivia.

Image: Bird Watching in Asuncion Wetland Amongst Trash
Bird Watching in Asuncion Wetland Amongst Trash
Bird Watching in Asuncion Wetland Amongst Trash
Bird Watching in Asuncion Wetland Amongst Trash

The wetlands of Asuncion Bay are littered with trash left by the last flood, but birding is good. Near 25°15’49’’S, 57°37’47’’W.

The wetlands of Asuncion Bay are littered with trash left by the last flood, but birding is good. Near 25°15’49’’S, 57°37’47’’W.

Image: Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)
Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)
Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)
Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)

Black-collared hawk fishing in wetland along highway.

Image: Jaguar Track in Pantanal
Jaguar Track in Pantanal
Jaguar Track in Pantanal
Jaguar Track in Pantanal

Imprint of jaguar paws in drying mud at the edge of landing strip. Near 19°55’S, 58°35’W.

Imprint of jaguar paws in drying mud at the edge of landing strip. Near 19°55’S, 58°35’W.

Image: Monk Parakeet Nest on Utility Pole
Monk Parakeet Nest on Utility Pole
Monk Parakeet Nest on Utility Pole
Monk Parakeet Nest on Utility Pole

Small monk parakeet nest on utility pole. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Palm Savannah, Second Growth Forests and Woodlands, Second Growth Scrub, Pasture. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Small monk parakeet nest on utility pole. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding permanent resident. Habitat: Palm Savannah, Second Growth Forests and Woodlands, Second Growth Scrub, Pasture. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente.

Image: Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero

Completed mud nest. End of wet season. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding Permanent Resident. Habitat: Pasture, Second-Growth Shrub and Urban Zones. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente. Hábitat: Pastura implantada, Capuera, Zonas Urbanas.

Completed mud nest. End of wet season. Paraguay is home to at least 589 breeding bird species and 120 migratory bird species. Breeding Status: Breeding Permanent Resident. Habitat: Pasture, Second-Growth Shrub and Urban Zones. Estado de ocurrencia: Residente nidificante permanente. Hábitat: Pastura implantada, Capuera, Zonas Urbanas.

Image: Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero

Bird nest made of mud in tree, partially completed.

Bird nest made of mud in tree, partially completed.

Image: Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero
Mud Nest of Hornero

Bird nest made of mud in tree, partially completed.

Bird nest made of mud in tree, partially completed.