Images

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Sturgeons are among the most endangered animals globally. Once plentiful along the Atlantic coast, the shortnose sturgeon suffered severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. In 1973, it was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as the Hudson River—its key habitat—was heavily polluted and oxygen-deprived.

The USGS leads federal research to control invasive carp species through innovative management tools and methods. Our research products for carp control have proven valuable for broader conservation applications.

DEVELOPING & ADVANCING TECHNOLOGIES

The sun sets over Katmai National Park and Preserve. Katmai is one of four monitoring sites for the Nearshore Component of the Gulf Watch Alaska program.

Ridged hull inflatable skiffs are used by scientists to conduct rocky intertidal monitoring for the Nearshore Component of the Gulf Watch Alaska program. Data are collected to estimate percent cover and densities of intertidal invertebrates and algae to assess change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

A scientist holds a HOBO temperature logger that was recently retrieved from a sampling site at Katmai National Park and Preserve. The sensor end of the HOBO was partially covered by a small sea star (Leptasterias spp.) when recovered from the site. The temperature loggers record the water temperature.

A pair of scientists observe sea otter foraging behavior at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Questar telescopes are used to assist with prey identification.

A male Northern Sea Otter sleeps on his back after foraging for clams at Katmai National Park and Preserve.

A native bubble bee pollinates a wild celery. There are 22 species of bumblebees in Alaska and all are essential pollinators during the short growing season.

A Black Oystercatcher watches over a few days-old chick at Katmai National Park and Preserve. These shorebirds are monitored on a yearly basis as part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program.

A scientist examines the teeth from a sea otter skull found on a beach at Katmai Nation Park and Preserve. Teeth are collected in the field and each sea otter is aged using cementum annuli counts. Cementum annuli are the rings of collagen fibers in tooth roots.

Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”

In this photo, Paul Hershberger is conducting research in the Seattle Western Fisheries Research Center wet laboratory. He is working to study diseases in fish.

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large, wading bird known for its striking blue-gray plumage, long legs, and graceful demeanor, commonly found near water bodies across North America. This one was photographed in Ocean City, MD. 

A Baltimore Oriole sits in a tree.

A small group of Pacific walruses consider entering the water as they assess their surroundings.  A calf can be seen in the back of the group.  USGS and the U.S.

Ducklings born in the Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, are housed in a separate building. The ducklings receive round-the-clock care. 

Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) nests in the northern Gulf of Alaska are monitored annually to determine the nest status, productivity, chick diet, and egg float stages.

The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are White-winged Scoters on the edge of their pond. 

The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are two male and one female Common Eiders floating in their pond. 

A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzzing among the bee balm stops to get some nectar. Shot in front of the Gabrielson Building at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.