Images

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Tidal marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

Dieffenbach Pond at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state. 

A nesting bald eagle at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida. The platform was provided by the Refuge for use by nesting birds of prey.

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

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.

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.

Migratory waterfowl congregate at Coulson Pond in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Blackwater serves as an important habitat for these waterfowl, and was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway.

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.

Migratory waterfowl congregate at Coulson Pond in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Blackwater serves as an important habitat for these waterfowl, and was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway.

A panorama of marshes at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state.

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

A stabilization fence runs the length of the sand dune on Assateague Island.

This is the backend of a Lipotriches (Plain Sweat Bee) collected in Australia. This is one of the bees in which the males are known to form sleeping aggregations – small groups to dozens of individuals clustering together on the same twig late in the afternoon and remaining there until after dawn.

Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

eruption of Lone Star Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

After slowly moving downslope from Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone since June 27, 2014, this active lava flow in Hawaiʻi reached the town of Pāhoa just before Halloween, destroying roads, a cemetery, and private property in this community.

View looking south down Kanab Creek toward the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River in the distance. 

A scientist documents Weddell Seal research near Erebus Bay, Antarctica. Images were obtained under NMFS Permit No: 1032-1917. 

A newly tagged pup rests in the snow with its mom. Images were obtained under NMFS Permit No: 1032-1917. 

A newly tagged pup spends time in the snow with its mom. Images were obtained under NMFS Permit No: 1032-1917.