http://gallery.usgs.gov/images/logos/usgs_only.jpg http://gallery.usgs.gov/ en-us OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group) http://gallery.usgs.gov/images/USGS.gif http://gallery.usgs.gov/ http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/05_31_2012_mRIt48Wkj1_05_31_2012_1 An endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, a species that is sometimes killed by wind turbines. USGS scientists from Hawaii and Colorado are devising a way to directly observe bat occurrence and behavior at wind turbines using a video system composed of high-powered illuminators and near-infrared cameras.  This new approach images the full rotor-swept areas of wind turbines for entire nights and long durations, and then uses advanced image-processing software to automatically find flying bats and birds in the copious amounts of recorded footage. This a significant step in developing a feasible method to enhance our understanding of how wind turbines affect bats and nocturnal migratory birds, with the ultimate goal of finding new ways for wind-energy development to continue expanding while reducing the harmful effects of this renewable energy source on wildlife.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/03_28_2011_ydt2WJi77Q_03_28_2011_0 Insect-eating bats provide a great pest-control service to agriculture and natural ecosystems.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/03_28_2011_ydt2WJi77Q_03_28_2011_1 This spotted bat, native to western North America, is a hibernating insect-eating bat that may be at risk as the disease white-nose syndrome moves westward.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/03_28_2011_d28Kc54BAu_03_28_2011_0 Scientists have found that wind turbines are causing fatalities of certain species of migratory insect-eating bats, although a March 2011 study in Science suggests that solutions to reduce the impacts of wind turbines on bats may be possible.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/12_15_2010_iMDp26Rff0_12_15_2010_0 Hibernating little brown bat with white muzzle typical of White-nose syndrome.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/12_14_2010_typ0SfeRQL_12_14_2010_0 Back-lit photographs of wings of White-nose Syndrome (WNS)-positive little brown bats, one with subtle circular and irregular pale areas (arrows) indicating areas of fungal infection (A) and another bat (B) with areas of relatively normal tone and elasticity (black arrow), compared to a WNS affected area that looks like crumpled tissue paper with loss of elasticity, surface sheen and areas of irregular pigmentation (white arrow). (C) Microscopic section of wing membrane from a little brown bat showing extensive infection with the fungus (magenta structures), G. destructans.

]]> http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_0 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_1 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_2 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_3 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_4 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_5 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_6 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_7 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_8 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_9 http://gallery.usgs.gov/photos/10_19_2009_s84Aq11PPk_10_19_2009_10