Images

A bright orange male ‘akepa captured in the Hawaiian rainforest on Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i. Akepa are an endangered species found on only 3 of the 8 main Hawaiian islands. Their geographic range has been restricted by land use change, invasive species, and climate change. 

This radio-collared, ear tagged female mouflon stares back the camera of USGS wildlife biologist Dr. Steven C. Hess among the a‘a lava and shrubs of Hawai‘i Island.  

Mauna Ulu began erupting in May 1969 on Kilauea volcano's east rift zone. Within the first 6 months of erupting 12 lava fountains could be seen, some over 1000 ft high in the air! 

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai'i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

Lucas Fortini investigates a Koa tree in a remnant forest on Maui.

A dendrometer to measure fine-scale growth is attached to the stem of an ‘a‘ali‘i plant in the Nakula Natural Area Reserve on Maui, Hawai‘.

A dendrometer attached to a tree helps measure its physiologic responses to the environment.

Overlooking koa (Acacia koa) restoration forest in former pastureland at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i.

Koa (Acacia koa) trees with grass understory at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i. Koa trees have been planted as part of habitat restoration efforts on the Refuge. 

Male Laysan duck (Anas Laysanensis) at Midway Atoll, Hawai‘i

Koa (Acacia koa) trees in former pastureland in the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i.

Our research collaborator, Corinna Pinzari, snapped this breathtaking shot of a Maui treeline silhouetted by the setting sun. Corinna is a bat researcher who works closely with USGS ecologist, Dr. Frank Bonaccorso.

'Akiapola'au released from the hand at Hakalau Forest Wildlife Refuge. This species has an amazing dual purpose bill, the upper bill allows them to drink nectar from specially evolved flowers, while the lower bill allows them to bore into tree bark foraging for insects.  

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

Blue flagging tape marks the path of a research transect in a Hawaiian rainforest on the island of Moloka'i.

A dew covered lehua flower of an ‘Ōhi‘a tree at the Kahuku unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. These flowers are a favorite meal for many of the native Hawaiian forest birds throughout the Hawaiian islands.  

‘Ōhi‘a trees are one of very few native plants that dominate the forests of Hawai‘i. They are currently threatened by a fungal disease which is quickly spreading across the island, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. This picture shows an ‘Ōhi‘a tree covered in bright red lehua flowers in the Kahuka unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 

Many species of Hawaiian honeycreepers have persisted into the 20th century because high elevation rain forests on the islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai'i are cool enough to limit transmission of introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum).

An aerial photograph of Laysan Island, Hawaii, part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.