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Images

Images described and linked on this webpage come from a wide variety of USGS science activities and presentations performed by USGS Science Center staff members in the Region 7:  Upper Colorado Basin. A search tool is provided to narrow the number of image files shown.

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Measuring the bear's paw
Measuring the bear's paw
Measuring the bear's paw

Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s paw width. 

At the capture site
At the capture site
At the capture site

At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data. 

At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data. 

Preparing for collection of samples
Preparing for collection of samples
Preparing for collection of samples

A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured.  Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear,  and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc.  Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.

A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured.  Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear,  and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc.  Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.

Telemetry by air
Telemetry by air
Telemetry by air

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane.  The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane.  The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.

Telemetry by foot
Telemetry by foot
Telemetry by foot

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.   

Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.   

Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex.
Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359, New Mex.
Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359, New Mex.
Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359, New Mex.

North-oriented view of the Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex., February 11, 2016 (photograph by Nicholas R. Glaser, U.S. Geological Survey).

SIR 2016–5011

North-oriented view of the Rio Grande from New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex., February 11, 2016 (photograph by Nicholas R. Glaser, U.S. Geological Survey).

SIR 2016–5011

Rio Grande at New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex.
Rio Grande at New Mex. State Road 359
Rio Grande at New Mex. State Road 359
Rio Grande at New Mex. State Road 359

North-oriented view of the Rio Grande at New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex., February 11, 2016 (photograph by Nicholas R. Glaser, U.S. Geological Survey).

SIR 2016–5011

North-oriented view of the Rio Grande at New Mexico State Road 359 near Mesilla, N. Mex., February 11, 2016 (photograph by Nicholas R. Glaser, U.S. Geological Survey).

SIR 2016–5011

When looking for a place to set up a capture location, biologists look for existing bear sign such as scratches on trees.
Bear scratch on tree.
Bear scratch on tree.
Bear scratch on tree.

When looking for a place to set up a capture location, biologists 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 capture location, biologists 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.

Rio Grande near Montaño Bridge
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge

Upstream view of the Rio Grande from a location about 1 mile southwest of the Montaño Bridge. Photograph was taken January 24, 2016, by Nathan Myers.

SIR 2016–5021

Upstream view of the Rio Grande from a location about 1 mile southwest of the Montaño Bridge. Photograph was taken January 24, 2016, by Nathan Myers.

SIR 2016–5021

Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge, SIR 2016–5021
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge, SIR 2016–5021
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge, SIR 2016–5021
Rio Grande, about 1 mile southwest of Montaño Bridge, SIR 2016–5021

Upstream view of the Rio Grande from a location about 1 mile southwest of the Montaño Bridge. Photograph was taken January 24, 2016, by Nathan Myers.

La Sal Mountain Range
La Sal Mountain Range
La Sal Mountain Range
La Sal Mountain Range

Snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountain Range as seen from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. This is one area in the Southwest where biocrust plays an important role. 

Snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountain Range as seen from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. This is one area in the Southwest where biocrust plays an important role. 

A mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park.
A mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park.
A mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park.
A mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park.

A USGS grizzly bear researcher snapped this picture of a mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park. Recent research shows that fffspring of grizzly bear mothers with a history of human-bear conflicts are more likely to be involved in human-bear conflicts than offspring of mothers without a history of human-bear conflicts. 

A USGS grizzly bear researcher snapped this picture of a mother grizzly bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park. Recent research shows that fffspring of grizzly bear mothers with a history of human-bear conflicts are more likely to be involved in human-bear conflicts than offspring of mothers without a history of human-bear conflicts. 

Grizzly bear caching an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park
Grizzly bear caching an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park
Grizzly bear caching an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park
Grizzly bear caching an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park

A grizzly bear has cached an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park. Scientists used DNA from hair samples collected from barbed wire to estimate whether the availability of carcasses associated with an elk hunting season resulted in temporary immigration of grizzly bears. 

A grizzly bear has cached an elk carcass in Grand Teton National Park. Scientists used DNA from hair samples collected from barbed wire to estimate whether the availability of carcasses associated with an elk hunting season resulted in temporary immigration of grizzly bears. 

Filtering water for eDNA sample collection in Yellowstone National Park between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes.
Filtering water for eDNA sample collection.
Filtering water for eDNA sample collection.
Filtering water for eDNA sample collection.

Filtering water for eDNA sample collection in Yellowstone National Park between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes.

Receding Great Salt Lake as seen from causeway
Great Salt Lake Receding
Great Salt Lake Receding
Great Salt Lake Receding

Receding Great Salt Lake as seen from causeway

Collecting water sample in tall grass at Kane Springs, Utah on beautiful fall day.
Kane Springs, San Juan County, Utah Fall 2015
Kane Springs, San Juan County, Utah Fall 2015
Kane Springs, San Juan County, Utah Fall 2015

Collecting sample in tall grass at Kane Springs, San Juan County, Utah, Fall 2015.

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