USGS Multimedia Gallery for Set: 2011 Photo Contest

Obtaining a Dredge Sample

Cory L. Emerson — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Barbara Martin about to collect a sediment sample for selenium analysis. Sample collected from the agricultural drain Trifolium 19 on the southwest side of the Salton Sea, CA.

Water Quality Sampling

Toni Russel — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Cory Emerson taking dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity readings from a potential relocation site for tidewater gobies in the Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

NWA Tour of Snake River

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Western Leadership Team tour of sagebrush ecosystems along the Snake River.

Swinomish Salish Sea Canoe Journey Landing

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Multiple generations of Salish Sea Tribal members land at the Swinomish Indian Reservation.

Salish Sea Tribal Canoe Journey Landing

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Arrival of Salish Sea Tribal Canoes with USGS water quality sampling instrumentation onboard.

Salish Sea Tribal Canoe Journey Landing

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Arrival of Salish Sea Tribal Canoes with USGS water quality sampling instrumentation onboard.

Welcoming Arriving Canoes from Salish Sea Canoe Journey at Swinomish Tribe

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Tribal members welcome "families" from other Salish Sea Indian and First Nation Tribes.

Viewing Pacific Lamprey

lthorsteinson - at - usgs.gov (LymanThorsteinson) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Deputy Assistant Secretary Deanna Archuleta tours the Bonneville Dam to view the fish ladder and in particular the native Pacific Lampreys used as first foods by Tribes along the Columbia River.

Pacific Lamprey

lthorsteinson - at - usgs.gov (LymanThorsteinson) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Pacific Lamprey mouth suckers adhered to the glass at Bonneville Dam fish viewing window.

The native Pacific Lamprey uses the fish ladder at Bonneville Dam. This species plays a significant role in the foodweb and in Tribal "first foods".--cultural.

Lower Columbia River Tour

lthorsteinson - at - usgs.gov (LymanThorsteinson) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Provides a tour of the research vessel and the lower Columbia River to Deputy Assistant Secretary Deanna Archuleta discussing the lower Columbia River estuary water quality and aquatic health.

Research on the Columbia River

lthorsteinson - at - usgs.gov (LymanThorsteinson) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Oregon Water Science Center research vessel, used for lower Columbia River estuary water quality/contaminant and aquatic ecosystem health.

Elwha River Dam

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov (Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The 100 yr old, 108 ft tall Elwha Dam drawdown of water from Lake Aldwell reservoir began June 1, 2011 in preparation for Elwha Dam.

Engineered Log Jam

ldierauf - at - usgs.gov ( Leslie Dierauf) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Engineered Log Jam on the lower river opposite the new Lower Klallam Tribe Fish Hatchery.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe project creates salmon habitat on the lower Elwha River in preparation for dam removal and habitat restoration.

USGS NWA Team Winners

egrossman - at - usgs.gov (Eric Grossman) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The USGS Team won a 100 mile relay athletic event from Snoqualmie Pass to Puget Sound—mountain bike, bike, kayak, half marathon and sprint—summer 2011—The WINNERS!

USGS NWA Team 1st Place Corporate and 2nd Place Overall Mountains to Sound.

Research Vessel Tour

lthorsteinson - at - usgs.gov (LymanThorsteinson) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A lower Columbia River estuary tour on a USGS research vessel with NWA Deputy REx and WFRC Director.

Along the Klickitat River

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Radio tracking adult Chinook and steelhead on the Klickitat River in the fall.

Gastric Radio Tagging an Adult Chinook

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

This Chinook was tagged and then released back into the Klickitat River where we tracked its movements up and down the river.

Releasing a Radio-Tagged Adult Chinook

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

After gastric tagging the adult Chinook, it was released back into the Klickitat River.

Sunset Over the Reservoir

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Just finished lampara seining during the daylight now moving into evening seining

Good morning Cougar Reservoir!

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Upstream view at the Cougar Dam lookout point on a cold winter morning.

Fog in the Valley

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Standing on the Earth and Dam at Cougar as the fog rolled in and over the tailrace.

Fog in the Valley

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Standing on the Earth and Dam at Cougar as the fog rolled in between the snow capped mountains.

Winter Boating at Cougar

Jamie Sprando (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Two employees install equipment at Cougar Dam on a cold and wintery day.

The View From Above

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The view of Cougar Dam and the fish facility from the upper cliff side.

Garden Wall Weather Station, MT

epeitzsch - at - usgs.gov (Erich Peitzsch) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The Garden Wall Weather Station is situated below the Garden Wall and adjacent to the Haystack Creek avalanche path in Glacier National Park. It provides meteorological data for avalanche forecasting and research, including wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and net radiation measurements.

Snowslip Mountain Weather Station, MT

epeitzsch - at - usgs.gov (Erich Peitzsch) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Physical Scientist Erich Peitzsch sets up a weather station on Snowslip Mountain in Glacier National Park. It provides meteorological data for avalanche forecasting and research, including wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and net radiation measurements.

Prairie Pothole Dragonfly

tmpreston - at - usgs.gov (Todd Preston) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A dragonfly sits among prairie grasses at a USGS research site in the Williston Basin where scientists are looking at the impacts of oil well brine contamination on prairie pothole wetland communities.

Close Encounters, Yellowstone National Park.

pcross - at - usgs.gov (Paul Cross) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

In the Rocky Mountain West, people and wildlife inhabit many of the same areas and USGS scientists are studying wildlife diseases, such as brucellosis in elk and bison, and how these diseases are transmitted between domestic and non-domestic hosts.

Getting the Shot

lmckeon - at - usgs.gov (Lisa McKeon) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS scientist shoots a repeat photograph of Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to illustrate glacial recession due to impacts of climate change.

Peaceful Pond

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Foot bridge across Woods Pond features a USGS gauging station which can be seen in the left part of the photo "below" the bridge.

Swim Call

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Camping trip in Lower Twin Lake with USGS friends.

Soft Woodland Dance

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

On a USGS-friends group camping trip to Lower Twin Lake Campground.

The Air-Water Interface

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Water lilies choke the pond more and more each year which gets harder to kayak through the plants.

Floating Flower

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Seemingly suspended in mid-air, this oxalis contains oxalate compounds that are harmful to livestock if consumed in large quantities; and it’s a common weed in Central California that grows in pastures and farmlands.

Pollen Pantaloons

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Pollen stuck to a bee’s legs. All-in-all it appears to have been a successful day for this hard worker among the Forget-Me-Nots.

Intricate Weave

ltorresan - at - usgs.gov (Laura Torresan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Beach sand at Surfer's Beach, AKA "The Jetty".

Storm Coming

lstewart - at - usgs.gov (L. Colleen Stewart) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Storm clouds moving in over the park.

Storm is Coming

lstewart - at - usgs.gov (L. Colleen Stewart) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Storm clouds moving in over the park entrance.

Goose on the Lake

lstewart - at - usgs.gov (L. Colleen Stewart) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Migrating geese stop at local ecosystem.

Ducks on the Lake

lstewart - at - usgs.gov (L. Colleen Stewart) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Local Ducks hanging out at home in the park.

Ducks of the Lake

lstewart - at - usgs.gov (L. Colleen Stewart) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Local ducks playing at home in the park.

Souris River Streamgage

cdlaveau - at - usgs.gov (Chris Laveau) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

As the Souris River flooded during the early summer of 2011, it overcame levees in the city of Minot, N.D., causing about 11,000 people to evacuate their homes. The record-breaking flood crested on July 25 at over 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 24 feet - nearly 13 feet over flood stage - according to U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in the area.

"An above normal winter snowpack in addition to much above normal precipitation in May and June led to the record flooding along the Souris River," said Steve Robinson of the USGS North Dakota Water Science Center.

The USGS collects data from more than 100 streamgages in North Dakota, most of which provide real-time data that is transmitted every hour. For the latest and most accurate streamflow data for the Souris River Basin in the U.S. and Canada, visit the real-time streamflow web page.

Flooded Downtown Minot, N.D. Near the Police Station

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Media Covering Flooding in Downtown Minot, N.D.

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Flooding in Downtown Minot, N.D.

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Flooding in Downtown Minot, N.D.

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Car Floating by Dike in Downtown Minot, N.D.

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Scientist Being Interviewed by Media

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS hydrologist Chris Laveau is interviewed by media on the Broadway Bridge in downtown Minot, N.D.

Flooded Homes in Downtown Minot, N.D.

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Downtown Minot Flooding as Seen From Broadway Bridge

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Scientist Being Interviewed by Media

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS hydrologist Brent Hanson prepares for a media interview in Foxholm, N.D., approximately 30 miles northwest of flooded Minot.

Sign in Boarded Window Overlooking the Souris River

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Scientists Take Media on Boat

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS hydrologists prepare to take media out on a boat to measure streamflow on the flooded Souris River, Foxholm, N.D., about 30 miles northwest of Minot.

USGS Streamgage Flooded by Souris River

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The USGS Souris River at Foxholm, N.D. streamgage (center of photo) is half inundated by water about 30 miles northwest of Minot. This water channel, normally only about 30 feet wide, runs through a wildlife preserve.

USGS Scientists Prepare to Measure Souris River Streamflow

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS scientists prepare to take a boat out on the flooded Souris River at Foxholm, N.D., about 30 miles northwest of Minot. The orange buoey carries an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ACDP), which is dragged next to the boat to measure streamflow.

USGS Scientist is Interviewed by Media at the Flooded Souris River

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS hydrologist Brent Hanson is interviewed by media at the flooded Souris River in Foxholm, N.D., about 30 miles northwest of Minot. A flooded road can be seen in the background.

Flooding in Downtown Minot, N.D.

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Flooding in Downtown Minot, N.D.

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists Measure Streamflow near Flooded Minot, N.D.

mlubeck - at - usgs.gov (Marisa Lubeck) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS scientists measure streamflow on a tributary of the Souris River in Foxholm, N.D., about 30 miles northwest of Minot. The team is using an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ACDP) to measure streamflow.

USGS Scientist Interviewed by Media in Flooded Minot

dozman - at - usgs.gov (Dave Ozman) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS hydrologist Chris Laveau is interviewed by media from the Broadway Bridge in downtown Minot, N.D. Dikes on the right of the photograph help control flooding in the downtown area.

Pollinator Hovering

mtome - at - usgs.gov (Michael W. Tome) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Bumble bee over a cone flower.

Bumble Bee Air Traffic Control

mtome - at - usgs.gov (Michael W. Tome) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Three bumble bees around a cone flower.

Pollinator Flight

mtome - at - usgs.gov (Michael W. Tome) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Bumble bee landing on a cone flower.

Magnificent Seven

keith_miles - at - usgs.gov (Keith Miles) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Marine ecologists from USGS Western Ecological Research Center, USGS Alaska Science Center, UC Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Aquarium prepare to board the R/V Alaska Gyre for their 2011 May sea otter capture expedition for the Pacific Nearshore Project.

Remote Weather Station

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Weather Station on Tern Island in the middle of Crump Lake protected by bird spikes.

Deploying Lake Datalogger in a Prototype

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Deploying a datalogger in the middle of Harney Lake.

Predator in Waiting

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Driving along the road to our next site and came upon this hawk on a dead tree.

Spring Rains

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Spring Rain at Hart Mountain.

Flooded Cattle Ranch

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Cattle Ranch with typically 100 head of cattle currently flooded from the spring melt of higher than average snow accumulation.

Work Continues. . . .

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Work Continues even when Silvies River is about to flood over the bridge.

Our datalogger is attached to the bridge and much to our surprise, a dump truck drives across the bridge as we were contemplating the safety of crossing on foot.

Wildlife at Summer Lake Wildlife Area

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A pair of pelicans and in the background a Great Blue Heron in a Wetland at Summerlake Wildlife Area.

Work Still Has to Get Done!

lhartley - at - usgs.gov (Laura J Hartley) — Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Employee collectiing Water Quality data with instrument YSI 556mps handheld in creek swollen from spring melt.

Long Day

Jeffrey D Allen/BRD/USGS/DOI - at - USGS (Jeffrey D. Allen ) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Benthos sampling at Crane Creek, OH.

Montana Dive Site

Jeffrey D Allen/BRD/USGS/DOI - at - USGS (Jeffrey D. Allen) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

GLSC dive team called to do inspection of Kalispell for zebra mussels.

Montana Dive Site

Jeffrey D Allen/BRD/USGS/DOI - at - USGS (Jeffrey D. Allen) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

GLSC dive team called to do inspection of Kalispell for zebra mussels.

Another Day at the Office

jostman - at - usgs.gov (Johnse S Ostman) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Solomon Gulch at Top of Falls during Solomon Lake sill event. Hydrographer in the photo is Jeff Wiles of the Anchorage Field Office.

Springtime at Solomon Gulch

jostman - at - usgs.gov (Johnse S Ostman) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Solomon Gulch Top of Falls gage house in spring.

Drillin' Willow

jostman - at - usgs.gov (Johnse S Ostman) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Hydrographer C.S. Couvillion drilling Willow Creek for ice discharge measurement.

Mt Redoubt Volcanic Explosion

jostman - at - usgs.gov (Johnse S Ostman) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Mt Redoubt southcentral AK ice movement during breakup.

Yukon River

jostman - at - usgs.gov (Johnse S Ostman) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Yukon River at Pilot Station AK ice movement during breakup.

Tidewater Goby

Cory L. Emerson — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Tidewater goby collected from Rodeo Lagoon in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA.

Female Desert Pupfish

Barbara_ann_martin - at - usgs.gov (Barbara A. Martin) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Desert pupfish, adult female, in seine net with other fish. Captured from the USGS/BOR Shallow Habitat Project experimental ponds on the southeast side of the Salton Sea, CA.

Female Desert Pupfish

Barbara_ann_martin - at - usgs.gov (Barbara A. Martin) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Desert pupfish, adult female, in seine net with other fish. Captured from the USGS/BOR Shallow Habitat Project experimental ponds on the southeast side of the Salton Sea, CA.

Salton Sea Sunset

Barbara_ann_martin - at - usgs.gov (Barbara A. Martin) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Sunset on the southeast side of the Salton Sea, CA.

Don't Bust the Crust

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

To examine the influence of biological soil crusts in ecosystems (soil food webs, soil stability, soil nutrient cycles, and plant communities), Hilda Smith, biological technician, prepares to resample paired experimental plots where biological soil crusts were removed annually since 1995 or left intact at Arches NP.

Experimenting with Climate Change

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Hilda Smith, biological technician with Canyonlands Research Station, monitors changes in biological soil crusts in response to experimental increases in temperature and altered precipitation patterns.

Factory Butte

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geige) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A variety of sampling methods are used to assess the movement of dust at different heights at Factory Butte. Dust samplers in the foreground are part of an ever-increasing network of more than 140 sites.

Silt Fences Await Sediment from Storm Runoff

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Silt fences were installed at paired locations on Mancos Shale to quantify sediment in runoff in disturbed and undisturbed areas.

Wiring the Desert

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Ed Grote, biological technician with Canyonlands Research Station, sets up soil moisture monitoring system for an experiment to assess the effect of rainfall variability on BLM property near the Needles district of Canyonlands.

Canyonlands and the Colorado Plateau

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The Needles district of Canyonlands serves as a stunning backdrop to our study site in the high desert grassland of the Colorado Plateau. Researchers at Canyonlands Research Station are testing the effect of experimentally imposed altered precipitation regimes on plant reproductive success, mortality, and biomass.

Dreamland

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A heavily impacted off-road play area in Mancos Shale near the Book Cliffs is surveyed as a study site to assess dust production and quantify salinity and sediment in runoff.

Follow the Leader

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Dr. Jayne Belnap follows a narrow foot path through a diverse patch of biological soil crusts in an isolated area of Canyonlands NP that has never been exposed to grazing. Dr. Belnap has been studying biological soil crusts for more than 30 years.

Please Stay on the Trail

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A single narrow trail leads to research plots monitored by scientists at Canyonlands Research Station since the 1990s. This pristine area of biological soil crusts has never been grazed.

Best Job in the World

egeiger - at - usgs.gov (Erika Geiger) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Biological technicians, Beth Ogata, Kristina Young, and Natalie Day head back to base-camp after a day of monitoring vegetation and biological soil crusts in Canyonlands NP.

Exit Glacier, Alaska (In Full Retreat)

klafferty - at - usgs.gov (Kevin D Lafferty) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS ecologist Kevin Lafferty visits the Exit Glacier in Alaska.

Measuring a Momma Gator

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Annual alligator nesting surveys in south Florida provide valuable information about water deliveries and sea level rise, as salinity intrusion or unnatural inflows decrease nesting success.

Arenal Volcano

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Arenal Volcano is surrounded by inhabitants despite being extremely active.

A Cormorant's Meal

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

After a long struggle to position the fish just right, a double-crested cormorant finishes off a relatively young spotted gar.

Dead Coral

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Sea level rise and increased turbidity are causing corals world-wide to die, littering beaches with their remains.

After the Frost

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

After the unexpected 2010-2011 winter frost, attributed to climate change, much of south Florida’s coastal vegetation was lost.

Drowned Alligator Hatchling

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A combination of salt water intrusion and altered water deliveries to Everglades National Park will likely decrease alligator nesting success, as seen by this baby gator whose nest was flooded.

Devil's Throat

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

While the immediate hazards of volcanoes are known, some areas become destabilized by drained, underground lava tubes and collapse years later.

Lake Mead

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Decreased snow melt limits water levels in one of the west’s most vital reservoirs.

Installing Remote PIT Tag Readers

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists hike up the Little Colorado River to assist in installing remote PIT tag readers to more efficiently keep track of native, endangered fish populations.

Pahoehoe

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Cooled ropey pahoehoe overlays active lava flows only detectable by heat radiating from the ground.

Under the Everglades

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Though not as charismatic, the underwater periphyton and other vegetation are the primary support for all other life in the ecosystem.

Aged Windmills

aburtner - at - usgs.gov (Alicia Burtner) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

An impulsive alternative energy program subsidized farmers who allowed windmill construction but did not account for maintaining the resource.

This Lizard Is This Big�

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Children react with delight as ecologist Carlton Rochester of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center shows off his reptile expertise at a San Diego Zoo festival.

Withered Giant

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A massive Coulter pine that was burned in the 2007 Lake Arrowhead/Grass Valley wildfires stands alone on a hillside regrown with Manzanita, dwarfing USGS Western Ecological Research Center director Steven Schwarzbach.

USGS at Dusk, Santa Cruz

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS research traverses the land and the sea – and the intricate geological and ecological processes in between.

Fading Reflections

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Climate change and warming temperatures affect all landscapes high and low – including these delicate alpine meadow ecosystems being studied by the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.

Sea Otter Hunt at Sunrise

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS marine biologists set sail on a crisp September morning to capture and tag wild sea otters to monitor the health of this threatened species.

Kept Kelp Cool

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS Alaska Science Center biologist George Esslinger seeks relief from the hot California sun and his smothering drysuit, as he and his crew catch a rare break during a day of capturing and tagging wild sea otters.

Desert Survey

blandis - at - usgs.gov (Ben Young Landis) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

USGS research is at the intersection of geology and biology – the whole of the desert.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Scouting Association

eastettner - at - usgs.gov (Beth Stettner ) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Setting up for the National Scouting Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia.

Integrated Water Resources Science and Services (IWRSS)

eastettner - at - usgs.gov (Beth Stettner ) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

On May 11, 2011 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

1935 Stream Gage

eastettner - at - usgs.gov (Beth Stettner ) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Beth Stettner checks out the location of the IWRSS MOU signing.

Arches National Park

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A few rock formations.

Arches National Park

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Small Peekhole.

Devil's Tower

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Devil's Tower.

Grand Canyon

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Sun making shadows at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Colorado River view.

Sunrise at the Washington Monument

cwippich - at - usgs.gov (Carol Wippich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Sunrise at the Washington Monument.

Drought

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Lake Hartwell, SC.

Blue Heron

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Blue Heron.

Water Lily

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke ) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Water Lily.

Butterfly in a Garden

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke ) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Eastern Swallowtail butterfly in a flower garden.

Butterfly

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Angled shot of butterfly on a flower.

Butterfly

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Side shot of butterfly on a flower.

Tranquility

cvandyke - at - usgs.gov (Carol J. VanDyke) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Foot bridge over water.

Along the Klickitat River

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Radio tracking adult Chinook and steelhead on the Klickitat River in the fall.

Good morning Cougar Reservoir!

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Upstream view at the Cougar Dam lookout point on a cold winter morning.

Releasing a Radio-Tagged Adult Chinook

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

After gastric tagging the adult Chinook, it was released back into the Klickitat River.

Sunset Over the Reservoir

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Just finished lampara seining during the daylight now moving into evening seining.

Fog in the Valley over the Tailrace

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Standing on the Earth and Dam at Cougar as the fog rolled in and over the tailrace. (South Fork of the McKenzie River)

Fog in the Valley

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Standing on the Earth and Dam at Cougar as the fog rolled in between the snow capped mountains.

Gastric Radio Tagging an Adult Chinook

unknown — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

This Chinook was tagged and then released back into the Klickitat River where we tracked its movements up and down the river.

Winter boating at Cougar

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Two employees in a safety boat while installing equipment at Cougar Dam on a cold and wintery day.

The View from Above

jsprando - at - usgs.gov (Jamie Sprando ) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The view of Cougar Dam and the fish facility from the upper cliff side.

Scientist Sampling Water in the Great Basin

smurphy - at - usgs.gov (Sean P Murphy) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Adelaide Baker returns from sampling water at Harney Lake, a shallow alkali lake, in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Building a Boardwalk