Images

Sampling terrace deposits above the Cheyenne River in South Dakota. Terrace deposits are serving as background readings for a sediment contamination study (Huron/Rapid City, SD, Water Science Centers). Kevin Baker is collecting samples in the trench. John Stamm is taking notes.

At high tide, the red bark of the Red Mangrove Trees is submerged, creating a brilliant reflection at the water's surface. Flat Tree Oysters (Isognomon alatus) grow on the upper portions of the roots.

National Wetlands Research Center scientists use air boats for the marsh studies along the Gulf of Mexico.

Sponges, such as the blue, green and orange ones growing on these prop roots, provide much of the color in the Hurricane Hole mangroves.

Small corals have settled and begun to grow on the prop roots (Finger Coral, Porites sp. on the left; Lettuce Coral, Agaricia sp. on the right).

Ghost crab on the beach.

Giant Caribbean Anemones (Condylactis gigantea) display a wide range of colors but often have bright pink or purple tips.

Zeiss Jena 010B Theodolite for making absolute measurements at Boulder magnetic observatory.

The beautiful yellow and black Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor) is much less abundant than the other members of the Angelfish Family.

An adult Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) bares his teeth.

Bright red Fire Sponges (Tedania ignis) can cause severe reactions if touched.

Spotted Trunkfishes (Lactophrys bicaudalis) feed mostly on Sea Squirts (Tunicates).

ADCP work for a Waste Water Treatment Plant Study.  Photo taken south of St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi River (Mounds View, MN, Water Science Center).

This colony of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) is so large (about 3 feet across) that it must have been growing before the severe bleaching and disease episode in 2005/2006 that caused so much coral mortality on St. John's reefs.

A Queen Angelfish peers through the safety of the mangrove roots across the rich colors and textures of corals, sponges, urchins, and algae. Queen Angelfish feed almost exclusively on sponges, which are abundant in these mangroves.

Collected from more than 1000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, this fragile brittle star clings to a soft coral.  These deep-sea coral ecosystems ar biodiversity hot-spots in the deep ocean, but they are also vulnerable to climate change issues such as increased temperature and ocean acidification.

Barracudas of all sizes, from the juveniles shown here, to adults over 3 feet long, are common inhabitants of the mangroves.

Gray Snappers (Lutjanus griseus) are among the largest fish found in schools in the mangroves.

In September 2009, divers carefully capture an invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) found near the coast of North Carolina. Invasive lionfish are now established in the hard bottom habitats of North Carolina's coast, where they are abundant.

Research divers rest at 20 feet as they ascend with a dive bag containing invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans). The bag is clipped to a line to prevent them being stung by the lionfish as its bladder fills with air during the ascent. These lionfish were removed from hard bottom habitat, about 100 foot deep, near the coast of North Carolina.

Unidentified hawk perched upon a dead tree.