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Images

Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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A Male Spectacled Eider in Alaska
A Male Spectacled Eider in Alaska
A Male Spectacled Eider in Alaska
A Male Spectacled Eider in Alaska

A male spectacled eider following implantation of a satellite transmitter in the Colville River delta in June 2009. After breeding numbers of spectacled eiders, a large sea duck, declined by 96 percent at a primary breeding area in Alaska, the species was listed as threatened.

A male spectacled eider following implantation of a satellite transmitter in the Colville River delta in June 2009. After breeding numbers of spectacled eiders, a large sea duck, declined by 96 percent at a primary breeding area in Alaska, the species was listed as threatened.

Image: A Pocketbook Mussel
A Pocketbook Mussel
A Pocketbook Mussel
A Pocketbook Mussel

A pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium). Native freshwater mussels are among the most fascinating, widespread, and endangered animals in fresh waters. They play important ecological roles in our lakes and rivers and their shells are used to produce cultured pearls.

A pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium). Native freshwater mussels are among the most fascinating, widespread, and endangered animals in fresh waters. They play important ecological roles in our lakes and rivers and their shells are used to produce cultured pearls.

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.

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

Image: An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akikiki (Kaua`i Creeper), in Hawaii
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akikiki (Kaua‘i Creeper), in Hawai‘i
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akikiki (Kaua‘i Creeper), in Hawai‘i
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the ‘Akikiki (Kaua‘i Creeper), in Hawai‘i

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).

Image: An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii
An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii

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).

Image: An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii
An Endangered Puaiohi (Small Mountain Thrush) in Hawaii

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).

Image: Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

Image: Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

Image: Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling

Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.

Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.

Image: Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling
Bakken Drilling

Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.

Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.

Image: Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine

USGS scientist Steve Box takes an oriented sample of folded, crenulated, and metamorphosed banded siltite, exposed in the Blacktail pit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho.

USGS scientist Steve Box takes an oriented sample of folded, crenulated, and metamorphosed banded siltite, exposed in the Blacktail pit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho.

Image: Banding Together to Learn and Preserve
Banding Together to Learn and Preserve
Banding Together to Learn and Preserve
Banding Together to Learn and Preserve

2004 Chevak banding crew with four goose species. From left to right: Black Brandt, Emperor Goose, White-fronted Goose, and Cackling Goose.

2004 Chevak banding crew with four goose species. From left to right: Black Brandt, Emperor Goose, White-fronted Goose, and Cackling Goose.

Image: Bat with White-nose Syndrome
Bat with White-nose Syndrome
Bat with White-nose Syndrome
Bat with White-nose Syndrome

Hibernating little brown bat with white muzzle typical of White-nose syndrome.

Hibernating little brown bat with white muzzle typical of White-nose syndrome.

Image: Bear Scratch
Bear Scratch
Bear Scratch
Bear Scratch

When looking for a place to set up a trapping location, scientists look for existing bear sign such as scratches on trees and bear scat. Sometimes traps are set in areas that have no obvious bear sign to determine if indeed bears are present.

When looking for a place to set up a trapping location, scientists look for existing bear sign such as scratches on trees and bear scat. Sometimes traps are set in areas that have no obvious bear sign to determine if indeed bears are present.

Image: Biotitic Mafic Dike at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Biotitic Mafic Dike at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Biotitic Mafic Dike at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Biotitic Mafic Dike at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine

USGS scientist John Slack holds his hammer to a biotitic mafic dike, intruded into twice-folded banded siltite, exposed in the Hawkeye adit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho. Biotite is a type of mica, and mafic refers to a high magnesium and iron content.

USGS scientist John Slack holds his hammer to a biotitic mafic dike, intruded into twice-folded banded siltite, exposed in the Hawkeye adit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho. Biotite is a type of mica, and mafic refers to a high magnesium and iron content.

Image: Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito
Biting Mosquito

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

Culex species mosquito biting a human hand.

Image: Breccia at the Apple Creek Formation
Breccia at the Apple Creek Formation
Breccia at the Apple Creek Formation
Breccia at the Apple Creek Formation

USGS scientist Art Bookstrom hammers on limonite-stained breccia, cutting banded siltite of the Apple Creek Formation, exposed near the Uncle Sam portal of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho.

USGS scientist Art Bookstrom hammers on limonite-stained breccia, cutting banded siltite of the Apple Creek Formation, exposed near the Uncle Sam portal of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho.

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: Copper-Stained Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Copper-Stained Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Copper-Stained Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine
Copper-Stained Banded Siltite at the Blackbird Cobalt-Copper Mine

USGS scientist Art Bookstrom photographs copper-stained banded siltite, exposed in the Blacktail pit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, Salmon River Mountains, east-central Idaho.

USGS scientist Art Bookstrom photographs copper-stained banded siltite, exposed in the Blacktail pit of the Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, Salmon River Mountains, east-central Idaho.

Image: Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink

A copper-striped blue-tailed skink (Emoia impar) photographed in Samoa during a USGS field survey.

A copper-striped blue-tailed skink (Emoia impar) photographed in Samoa during a USGS field survey.

Image: Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink
Copper-Striped Blue-Tailed Skink

A copper-striped blue-tailed skink (Emoia impar) photographed in Samoa during a USGS field survey.

A copper-striped blue-tailed skink (Emoia impar) photographed in Samoa during a USGS field survey.

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