Images

This is a red eft, the juvenile stage of the red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens). The juvenile stage of this newt is fully terrestrial, while the larval and adult stages are fully aquatic.

A long-tailed duck, two days old, standing. 

A researcher fills out a datasheet while swabbing salamanders for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Bsal is a fungal disease affecting salamander species in Europe and Asia.

This is a macro photo of unhatched spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae. Spotted salamanders lay their eggs in vernal pools and wetlands in late winter and early spring.

These two American toads (Anaxrus americanus) are in amplexus, or mating position. In this position, the male toad grasps the female toad behind her front legs and does not let go.

A toad (Anaxyrus sp.) inflates an air sac on its neck to make a trilling call. Toads and frogs call during the breeding season to attract potential mates, and each species has a unique call that can be used to identify them.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

A class photo! The entire gang of adolescent whooping crane chicks together at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md. The chicks, hatched and raised by USGS caretakers, are being released into the wild in Louisiana in February 2011.  It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

A class photo! The entire gang of adolescent whooping crane chicks appear to be ice skating at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

This adolescent chick, hatched and raised at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is one of ten whooping cranes being released in Louisiana in February 2011. It is a milestone for the state and for the birds, which have not lived in the state since the 1950s.

EESC research engineers and technicians build a full-scale prototype of a fishway entrance in the S.O. Conte Research Laboratory's flume facility

Wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) lay their eggs in large clusters in the early spring. They prefer to lay their eggs in vernal pools, which hold water for only part of the year.

This is an adult wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). Wood frogs are most commonly found in the early spring, when they gather in vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. This species can be easily identified by the dark 'mask' markings behind the eye.