Images

USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facilities employee Jerry Gardner and contract employee Rodger Cook, prepare recently acquired Acoustic Doppler Profilers for distribution to USGS Water Science Centers.

USGS Contract employee Kevin Hadley examines a pressure tranducer unit prior to subjecting it to quality assurance testing.

1928 black-and-white oblique-angle aerial photo of South Cascade Glacier, northwestern Washington State, looking approximately southeast.

USGS scientists head out for a day's work on South Cascade Glacier, northwestern Washington State.

This photo shows workers completing the excavation at the site for the conference room in the new Audubon NWR Headquarters. This project, funded by the Recovery Act, will allow the Refuge to replace the current headquarters and visitor facility, which is approximately 52 years old and has had four additions added to it over the years.

USGS biologist Paul Cryan examines the carcass of a hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) found beneath a wind turbine. By examining the casualties, biologists hope to learn more about why migratory bats are so susceptible to wind turbines.

The species of bats that are most susceptible to wind turbines all roost in trees throughout the year, leading some scientists to speculate that they may be visually mistaking wind turbines for trees in which to roost.

Beni or Bolivian Anaconda (Eunectes beniensis). Photo by Lutz Dirksen, www.anakondas.de. Used with permission.

Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.

USGS biologist Paul Cryan releases a bat carrying a miniature radio transmitter. Researchers are increasingly turning to high-tech methods to try to learn more about the mysterious lives of bats.

USGS topographers pose with their leveling instrument and leveling rod.

Late in the evening, two wolves make use of the trail that leads to the head of the fiord. Studying wolves in the High Arctic allows scientists to follow the wolves during their travels, assuming the scientists can keep up. All-terrain vehicles are needed, and the 24-hour daylight at this time of year is critical.

USGS biologist Dave Mech has spent more than 20 summers studying Arctic wolves on Ellesmere Island, where they are unafraid of humans and can be observed at close range.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

Many species of birds rely on wetlands such as this baldcypress swamp, one of the ecosystems currently being studied by scientists at the USGS NWRC.

USGS scientists are studying the plants and animals that are part of the coastal mangrove ecotone of Everglades National Park.

GPS unit on well head at a private drinking water well.

Alk titration in the field as part of NAWQA studies.

Fisheye view of tree canopy in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Bear digging for food in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

View of Gatlinburg, TN, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Virginia.