Images

USGS researcher examining bass for abnormalities in the field.

Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) specimen captured at Big Cypress National Preserve. Photo courtesy of Skip Snow, National Park Service.

A Burmese python (Python molurus) peeks over the head of an alligator that holds the python's body in its mouth in Everglades National Park. Photo courtesy of Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service.

Burmese python (Python molurus). Photo courtesy of Roy Wood, National Park Service.

Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.

Muskoxen are the main prey of wolves on Ellesmere Island.

The invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) waits to be hauled to the surface, where it will eventually be used by NOAA to conduct lab studies on lionfish reproductive biology, age, and growth.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

Great Blue Herons are found throughout much of North America, but are always associated with water. Because they fish by sight, they need relatively shallow water. Release of too much water through the canals north of the Everglades can interfere with their ability to find food.

Coal Project in Pakistan. Left-Jan Mohammand Mengal; Center-Florian Maldonado; Right-Shahid Khan

This picture is taken while climbing Mt. McLoughlin looking east over the Rouge River National Forest and Klamath Lake in Southern Oregon.

Panoramic (~180 degree) view of landscape in Denali National Park, Alaska. Photographed on July 27, 2009, during fieldwork on Dall sheep habitat by members of the USGS Southwest Geographic Science Team.

Coast Salish canoe journey preparing to launch; sunrise at Pillar Point. The canoe journey pulled a water quality probe, which measured salinity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

Coast Salish Canoe Journey 2009, preparation in Neah Bay. The journey pulled a water quality probe to measure salinity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

Dr. Hiroyoshi Higuchi (left), Mr. Ken-ichi Tokita (right), and other cooperators from the University of Tokyo, work with USGS scientists to attach a satellite transmitter to the backs of northern pintail ducks on wintering areas of Northern Honshu, Japan.

Mountains, plains, soil, and grasses all work together as part of the natural ecosystems of the American West.

Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.

Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.

After being caught by mist nets, birds are anesthetized while a small transmitter is inserted into the abdominal cavity. The surgical procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Birds recover quickly and are ready for release within an hour of surgery. This photo shows a male curlew with a black leg flag inscribed "H8".

The Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) is the largest North American shorebird and is characterized by its long and decurved bill.