Images

Eelgrass beds such as this one found on Bainbridge Island, WA have been identified as a possible primary source of energy to the food chain and may also serve as nursery areas for juvenile forage fish.

Crescent gunnel collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA. 

Plainfin midshipman collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA. 

A Graceful Crab (Metacarcinus gracilis) captured in a beach seine during a 2012 Bainbridge Island larval forage fish survey.  This survey focused on the abundance, habitat use, and food habits of larval forage fish (surf smelt and sand lance) and was conducted by scientists from the Columbia River Research Laboratory -Western Fisheries R

USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists haul a beach seine over an eelgrass bed while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.

USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists deploy a beach seine while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt in Eagle Harbor, WA.  

A Red Rock Crab (Romaleon antennarium) captured in a beach seine during a 2012 Bainbridge Island larval forage fish survey.  This survey focused on the abundance, habitat use, and food habits of larval forage fish (surf smelt and sand lance) and was conducted by scientists from the Columbia River Research Laboratory -Western Fisheries Re

Three size classes of juvenile surf smelt collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA. 

Juvenile surf smelt and sand lance collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.  

Harbor seals are a predator of forage fish such as surf smelt and sand lance.  These two were observed lounging on a breakwall in Liberty Bay, WA. 

USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists Lisa Gee, Collin Smith, and Ryan Tomka display a bycatch of perch collected in a beach seine while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Market squid collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.  

A Helment Crab (Telmessus_cheiragonus) captured in a beach seine during a 2012 Bainbridge Island larval forage fish survey. This survey focused on the abundance, habitat use, and food habits of larval forage fish (surf smelt and sand lance) and was conducted by scientists from the Columbia River Research Laboratory -Western Fisheries Research Center.

Sanddab collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.  

USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists deploy a beach seine while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.  

Adult surf smelt collected in a beach seine by USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists while conducting a survey for juvenile surf smelt on Bainbridge Island, WA.  

USGS and Virginia Tech scientists captured female northern bats and fitted them with tiny radiotransmitters and numbered armbands. The bats were then released and tracked to determine what roosts they were using. 

Hillabahatchee Creek, GA; Nick Henry and Jeff Riley doing Rich Target Habitat (RTH) sampling.

Eastern Swallowtail butterfly in a flower garden.

Exposed Austin Group in road cut excavation located on south side of U.S. Highway 90 and approximately midway between Sabinal and Knippa Texas, eastern Uvalde County, Tex. Photograph taken May 29, 2012.

SIR 2013–5149

USGS contractor Todd Preston of Parallel Inc. launches a Raven aircraft May 24, 2012 as part of a mission to document and study invasive vegetation and park boundary fences at Haleakala National Park, Maui, HI.