Images

These sections of the Caverns of Sonora were carved by the wind, rather than by water. As such, they have smooth walls.

A female mule deer, known as a doe, grazes near the entrance to the Caverns of Sonora.

A pool in the Caverns of Sonora. This cave, like many others, was formed by water combining with carbon dioxide to create a weak carbonic acid. This acid then dissolved the limestone to carve out chambers.

A series of speleothems, or cave formations, in the Caverns of Sonora. Dripstone formations like stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (growing from the floor) can be seen. In addition, bulbous speleothems known as "cave popcorn" grow on the walls.

A detail image of the bulbous cave formation known as "cave popcorn" in the Caverns of Sonora.

A female mule deer, called a doe, forages near the Caverns of Sonora in Texas.

Ticks spread the widest variety of diseases that are harmful to humans, including Lyme disease. This image shows a large, engorged female blacklegged tick, or deer tick (species Ixodes scapularis).

A view of the NASA Wallops Island launch and testing facilities. Chincoteague Channel runs in the foreground.

Seagrass marshes in Chincoteague Channel. Saltwater and barrier marshes are important ecosystems that protect inland habitat and communities from ocean storms.

Seagrass marshes in Chincoteague Channel. Saltwater and barrier marshes are important ecosystems that protect inland habitat and communities from ocean storms.

Seagrass marshes in Mosquito Creek. Saltwater and barrier marshes are important ecosystems that protect inland habitat and communities from ocean storms.

Overwash on Assateague Island. Overwash occurs when waves overtop the main sand dune and redistribute the sand along new patterns. Overwash has contributed to the gradual movement of Assateague Island to the south.

Marsh management projects on-going at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Wetlands are planted and flooded during the Spring and Summer, then drained during the Fall and Winter. This provides sediment stabilization and habitat for migrating waterfowl.

Salt marshes along Little Mosquito Creek of Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, they serve an important role in protecting inland ecosystems and communities from oceanic storms.

Wild ponies on Assateague Island. Wild ponies have lived on Assateague since the 1600s, although how they were introduced to Assateague is still debated. There are now around 300 or so wild ponies in Maryland and Virginia.

Inland scrub plants on Assateague Island. Inland scrub plays an important role in stabilizing the sand dunes on a barrier island.

Surf on Assateague Island from the Atlantic Ocean.

Overwash on Assateague Island. When waves wash over the main sand dune on the island, that creates a phenomenon called overwash, where the sand is moved along the path of the wave. Overwash has contributed to the gradual movement of Assateague Island to the south.

Inland scrub on Assateague Island. Inland scrub plays an important role in stabilizing the sand dunes.

A duck blind in the seagrass marshes in Chincoteague Channel. Saltwater and barrier marshes are important ecosystems that protect inland habitat and communities from ocean storms. They also provide important habitat for migrating water fowl.

Salt marshes at Chincoteague Island. The salt marshes that make up Chincoteague Island are important habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, they serve an important role in protecting inland ecosystems and communities from oceanic storms. Mosquito point can be seen in the background where the trees are.