Images

USGS scientist Barbara Mahler uses a special vacuum (a model HVS3 High Volume Surface Sampler) to collect dust samples to be evaluated for contaminants.

A wolf spider protects a spherical egg sac.

White pelicans on the James River, North Dakota, summer 2008.

Common in Louisiana, although amphibian declines are a global problem. Are we next?

Little brown bat with fungus on muzzle.

Changes to greater sage-grouse distribution in the American West predicted by a new scientific model based on extensive study of sage-grouse range contraction. "Likely secure populations" indicates areas where sage-grouse are present and currently stable. "Currently extirpated" indicates areas where sage-grouse are now locally extinct, as the model predicted.

Laughing gull sitting atop a guano-streaked boulder beside a Caribbean beach. Species identification is tentative.

Pacific pocket mouse in hand

Laughing gull sitting atop a guano-streaked boulder beside a Caribbean beach. Species identification is tentative.

Caribbean sunset as seen from the British Virgin Islands.

Sandy Caribbean beach in the British Virgin Islands.

Caribbean sunset as seen from the British Virgin Islands.

Assorted cacti and dryland vegetation beside a Caribbean trail in the British Virgin Islands.

Caribbean trail at "The Baths," a coastal National Park in the British Virgin Islands.

Cacti and dryland vegetation beside a Caribbean trail in the British Virgin Islands.

Cacti and dryland vegetation beside a Caribbean trail in the British Virgin Islands.

Cacti and dryland vegetation beside a Caribbean trail in the British Virgin Islands.

Cacti and dryland vegetation beside a Caribbean trail in the British Virgin Islands.

Yellow poinciana growing as a landscape ornamental in the British Virgin Islands. Species identification is tentative.

Golden early morning sunlight on a dry, rocky headland. Note the pelican, the cacti, and the xeric vegetation.

Contrastingly shadowed sand dune ripples at Great Sand Dunes National Park.