Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

See our science through the images below.

Filter Total Items: 3536
Image: Pacific Herring Larvae
Pacific Herring Larvae
Pacific Herring Larvae
Pacific Herring Larvae

Herring larvae 53 day post-hatch. Black pigmentation is evident.

Herring larvae 53 day post-hatch. Black pigmentation is evident.

Image: Pacific Herring Eggs on Macrophytes
Pacific Herring Eggs on Macrophytes
Pacific Herring Eggs on Macrophytes
Pacific Herring Eggs on Macrophytes

Naturally-deposited herring eggs attached to submerged macrophytes. Coiled embryos are evident inside the eggs.

Naturally-deposited herring eggs attached to submerged macrophytes. Coiled embryos are evident inside the eggs.

Image: Pacific Herring Spawning Event
Pacific Herring Spawning Event
Pacific Herring Spawning Event
Pacific Herring Spawning Event

Small herring spawning event in Puget Sound, evidenced by the presence of 'white water', caused by mass release of spawning products into the water.

Small herring spawning event in Puget Sound, evidenced by the presence of 'white water', caused by mass release of spawning products into the water.

Image: Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market

These live Asian swamp eels were imported from southeast Asia and sold in an urban food market in the U.S. Raw or undercooked Asian swamp eels could transmit a parasitic infection called gnathostomiasis to consumers, and wild eels could become widespread in some U.S. waters.

These live Asian swamp eels were imported from southeast Asia and sold in an urban food market in the U.S. Raw or undercooked Asian swamp eels could transmit a parasitic infection called gnathostomiasis to consumers, and wild eels could become widespread in some U.S. waters.

Image: Olivella semistriata Orange
Olivella semistriata Orange
Olivella semistriata Orange
Olivella semistriata Orange

The orange, coiled seashell of Olivella semistriata with the aperture (shell opening) facing up. Photograph taken 2002 or earlier.

The orange, coiled seashell of Olivella semistriata with the aperture (shell opening) facing up. Photograph taken 2002 or earlier.

Image: Young Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a Microscope
Young Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a Microscope
Young Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a Microscope
Young Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a Microscope

During laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.

During laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.

Image: Invasive Spiny Water Flea
Invasive Spiny Water Flea
Invasive Spiny Water Flea
Invasive Spiny Water Flea

An invasive species, the spiny water flea, is likely a primary driver of changes in Lake Huron's food web over the past decade.

An invasive species, the spiny water flea, is likely a primary driver of changes in Lake Huron's food web over the past decade.

Image: Mysterious Fossils from the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater and Beyond
Mysterious Fossils from the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater and Beyond
Mysterious Fossils from the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater and Beyond
Mysterious Fossils from the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater and Beyond

Photo of fossil algae (dinocyst). Specimen is about 90 micrometers across.The largest known impact crater in the U.S. lies buried beneath the Virginia Coastal Plain.

Image: Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

Image: Blackside Dace School
Blackside Dace School
Blackside Dace School
Blackside Dace School

Blackside dace are a type of minnow with a red underbelly and a black stripe down their sides. They are found only in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and western Virginia. The image shows a school of Blackside dace.

Blackside dace are a type of minnow with a red underbelly and a black stripe down their sides. They are found only in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and western Virginia. The image shows a school of Blackside dace.

Image: Collecting Biological Data
Collecting Biological Data
Collecting Biological Data
Collecting Biological Data

IGBST researchers begin gathering biological data from the bear.  The kerchief over the bear's eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.

IGBST researchers begin gathering biological data from the bear.  The kerchief over the bear's eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.

Image: An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs
An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs
An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs
An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs

An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.

Image: Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market
Live Asian Swamp Eels Sold in a U.S. Market

These live Asian swamp eels were imported from southeast Asia and sold in an urban food market in the U.S. Raw or undercooked Asian swamp eels could transmit a parasitic infection called gnathostomiasis to consumers, and wild eels could become widespread in some U.S. waters.

These live Asian swamp eels were imported from southeast Asia and sold in an urban food market in the U.S. Raw or undercooked Asian swamp eels could transmit a parasitic infection called gnathostomiasis to consumers, and wild eels could become widespread in some U.S. waters.

Image: Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)

A photomicrograph depicting the calcium carbonate tests of ten species of marine foraminiferans. Upon death, their tests can form calcareous marine sediments known as foraminiferan ooze.

A photomicrograph depicting the calcium carbonate tests of ten species of marine foraminiferans. Upon death, their tests can form calcareous marine sediments known as foraminiferan ooze.

Image: Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)
Foraminiferans (10 Species)

A photomicrograph depicting the calcium carbonate tests of ten species of marine foraminiferans. The image has been inverted to bring out details. Upon death, their tests can form calcareous marine sediments known as foraminiferan ooze.

A photomicrograph depicting the calcium carbonate tests of ten species of marine foraminiferans. The image has been inverted to bring out details. Upon death, their tests can form calcareous marine sediments known as foraminiferan ooze.

Image: Radiolarians (10 Species)
Radiolarians (10 Species)
Radiolarians (10 Species)
Radiolarians (10 Species)

A photomicrograph depicting the siliceous tests of ten species of marine radiolarians. This image has been inverted to bring out details. Upon death, their tests can form siliceous marine sediments known as radiolarian ooze.

A photomicrograph depicting the siliceous tests of ten species of marine radiolarians. This image has been inverted to bring out details. Upon death, their tests can form siliceous marine sediments known as radiolarian ooze.

Image: Palila
Palila
Palila
Palila

Palila (Loxioides bailleui). Photo by USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.

Palila (Loxioides bailleui). Photo by USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.

Image: WRP Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
WRP Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
WRP Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
WRP Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Wetlands Reserve Program site in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.  Ten years ago, this landowner worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Wetlands Reserve Program to design and construct this slough as part of a plan to restore this field’s natural wetland hydrology.

Wetlands Reserve Program site in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.  Ten years ago, this landowner worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Wetlands Reserve Program to design and construct this slough as part of a plan to restore this field’s natural wetland hydrology.

Image: Grizzly Bear Trapping Operation
Grizzly Bear Trapping Operation
Grizzly Bear Trapping Operation
Grizzly Bear Trapping Operation

IGBST researchers are very careful to keep the bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data.

IGBST researchers are very careful to keep the bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data.

Image: Counting Juvenile Mussels
Counting Juvenile Mussels
Counting Juvenile Mussels
Counting Juvenile Mussels

Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.

Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.

Was this page helpful?