Images

Sea otter researchers Michelle Staedler, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Tim Tinker, USGS, work together to locate sea otters in their study project. USGS scientists and their partners study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

USGS wildlife biologist Alisha Kage looks through a telescope to help her locate and identify tagged sea otters, then records the otter's location for a study aimed at learning more about the species. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

Sea otter researcher Michelle Staedler, of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, records sea otter behavior in her logbook as part of a study with the USGS and the University of California at Santa Cruz on sea otter behavior.

Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.

A sea otter swims in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.

A sea otter dines on crabmeat in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

A sea otter swims in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.

A sea otter swims in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.

Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.

A sea otter swims in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

Sea otter researcher Tim Tinker, USGS, dismantle the VHS reciever after a long morning of tracking and observing sea otters in Monterey Bay, California.

USGS wildlife biologist Alisha Kage looks through a telescope to help her locate and identify tagged sea otters, then records the otter's location for a study aimed at learning more about the species. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

A sea otter dines on crabmeat in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

USGS wildlife biologist Alisha Kage holds out a VHF receiver, hoping to hear the tell-tale beep that helps her locate sea otters that are part of study to monitor and learn more about the species. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

A sea otter pup watches eagerly as its mother eats a fat innkeeper worm in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

A sea otter pup watches eagerly as its mother eats a fat innkeeper worm in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

A sea otter dines on crabmeat in Monterey Bay, California. USGS scientists study sea otters in efforts to help the threatened species continue to recover from near extinction.

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 08116650 Brazos River near Rosharon, Texas, looking upstream from right bank, August 7, 2008.
USGS SIR 2009–5174