Images

A bald eagle and common raven found dead near the base of a power pole during a survey. Both birds were determined to have died from gunshot.

Experimental plots near Boise, Idaho after planting is complete. Black gravel increases the amount of sunlight absorbed by the ground, increasing the temperature of the plot. White gravel absorbs less light, keeping the plot cooler. Wooden toothpicks mark the location of cheatgrass seeds.

Non-lead ammunition, such as those made from copper, tend to remain intact after impact with their target, while lead ammunition can fragment into many small pieces.

The eastern shore of Lake Abert, a saline lake in Oregon, photographer during a field trip USGS researchers led with multiple local groups. A drought in 2022 resulted in low water levels.

The eastern shore of Lake Abert, a saline lake in Oregon, photographer during a field trip USGS researchers led with multiple local groups. A drought in 2022 resulted in low water levels.

Warner Lakes in Oregon photographed from the eastern ridge looking west. In 2022 the lakes were dry due to an extended drought in the western U.S.

An immature golden eagle arrives at a baited trap as part of research effort to capture and satellite tag golden eagles for assessments of risks of wind development on the species.

USGS researchers preparing to plant cheatgrass seeds in an experimental plot near Boise, Idaho and look at the impact of temperature, planting density, and genetics on cheatgrass phenology. Holes are drilled in a grid to ensure cheatgrass seeds are planted with even spacing at the same depth. 25 seeds were planted per plot.

Targeted monitoring of Golden Eagle populations is an integral component of effective management, serving as a guide for deciding the appropriate course of management action, evaluating the effectiveness of such actions, and providing options to better achieve management goals.

This bald eagle was admitted to The Raptor Center in St. Paul, MN where it was determined by veterinarians to be poisoned by lead. The bowed head, drooped wings, and green stained tail feathers are all typical signs of lead poisoning of raptors.

Patrick Kolar, wildlife biologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, surveys for territorial pairs of golden eagles using binoculars and a spotting scope in the Diablo Range study area of central California.

A fisher is released into the wild near the staircase trail in Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers were transported from Canada and released in an effort to reestablish the population. 

Kurt Jenkins, Scientist Emeritus at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, unloads a fisher at a release site in Olympic National Park. Fishers were transported from Canada and released in Washington to help reestablish the population.

A fisher moments after it was released into Olympic National Park in Washington State. Fishers were transported from Canada to Washington to help reestablish the population. 

This is a landscape photo of a wildfire burn site located in Oregon, USA. Photo taken in November of 2021.

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies at the southern end of Ruby Valley in northeast Nevada. For more information visit the Ruby Lake NWR website.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2015 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2020 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Barred owls spread west during the 1900s and today completely overlap the range of the northern spotted owl.

USGS scientists setting up experimental plots in a previously burned site near Boise, Idaho. Fencing keeps livestock from disturbing the site. The experiment was replicated at a second site in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The team is looking at the impact of temperature, planting density, and genetics on the timing of the cheatgrass life cycle.

Two Columbian black-tailed deer are photographed by a trail camera on the former Mills reservoir by the Elwha River. Trail cameras are used to document wildlife recovery and use of this restored habitat post-dam removal.