I can't not post a picture of my favorite cutie pies, the Snowy Plovers!! With only an estimated 50 breeding pairs in Peninsular Florida, it's always a treat to see them! Even though Snowy Plovers are a threatened species protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened Species by Floridaโs Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, they are struggling to make a strong comeback. Despite conservation efforts, habit loss makes successful nesting a big challenge for these guys. Education regarding their nesting habitat needs to reach more people! Remember, these guys nest directly on the sand. So, watch your step especially if you see one of these little guys moving about. You may have just scared it off of its nest. Try to stay away from the dunes. They often seek "shelter" and nest in that area. Also, be mindful of posted nesting areas! I visited one site yesterday that had footprints all over it. Just because you can't see anything, doesn't mean it's OK to walk into a roped off area. Teach your children, too! Have them be cautious when kicking balls or flying kites near posted areas. And teach them to respect the birds and observe them from a distance. Flushing the birds (making them fly) is very dangerous for nesting shorebirds. Larger birds and raptors are waiting for that perfect opportunity to swoop in and grab lunch! Mostly, spread the word when you can (always nicely) and be an advocate for all of our shorebirds when you're visiting the beach!! They could really use our help! #USFWS#FSA#FWC#audubon#snowyplover#spreadtheword#doyourpart#shorebirdlove#conservation
Yeah, we know, Egrets! There are only two days left in the Forsythe photo contest. 30 pictures have been submitted for the traditional camera and only 1; thatโs right, 1 for smart phone. Sunny days are ahead. So, you still have time. Send pictures to forsythe@fws.gov. #rebf#usfws#usfwsnationalwildliferefugesystem#njphotographer
April 17, Operation Free The Dudleya morning briefing. Members from multiple public lands agencies gather in front of dozens of boxes of recovered plants to discuss logistics and safety concerns related to replanting.
Happy #walkaboutwednesday ๐ โ
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) meaning maritime or "marine" bear
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They live in the artic regions of the north pole, but are slowly moving south due to ice pack habitat loss from #climatechange .
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They range from 4-5 ft tall when on 4 legs, and 9-11ft tall when standing up! Largest bears in the world! They can weigh 330 to 1760 lbs!! Males are larger.
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Fun FUR fact: polar bears have black skin and CLEAR hairs. They appear white due to light refraction!! And may appear yellowish or light brown in the summer due to oxidation.
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Breeding occurs in March-June, and female gestation lasts 195-265 days. Females will have 2 cubs on average, but can have up to 4. Polar bears reach sexual maturity around 5 or 6 years of age. ๐น
Polar bears live 25-30 years in the wild, and up to 38 in captivity. They are solitary, carnivorous hunters and scavengers. But they spend 60% of their time sleeping or waiting for prey. About 30% of their time is walking and swimming. ๐น
Their only predators are humans, and aggressive male bears. Polar bears are a top predator and keystone species in the ecosystem. They are considered #vulnerable (by #IUCN ) and #threatened (by #USFWS ), and will become endangered soon if the temperatures continue to rise, ice melts, sea levels rise, and food becomes scarce.
Don't forget about the polar bears! ......
#Repost @polarbearsinternational (@get_repost)
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As strong as #polarbears are, they need our help to survive the upcoming decades. The only solution is action. #saveourseaice
California is home to immensely diverse ecosystems. Here along the North Coast of Humboldt County there is a narrow band of steep bluffs between the Pacific and the dense forest covered hills. A small portion of this area is too harsh or unstable for larger plants like trees and shrubs. In these areas hardy little plants cling to the hills and thrive in the wind and salt spray. Among them, the Dudleya.
A few weeks ago suspicious packages we're discovered at a local post office. Upon inspection the boxes destined for Asia we're discovered to contain 2000+ of these beautiful plants. California Department of Fish and Wildlife investigated and we're able to determine the origins of the poached plants.
On Tuesday April, 17 individuals from state, federal, and nonprofit organizations came together to return the plants to their native habitat.
The American coot is probably one of the funniest birds in my opinion. Watching them run across the ice has been rather entertaining the past couple weeks. The wetlands are still partially frozen and packed with hundreds of ducks and coot so food is becoming a little scarce. These little guys have started wandering around by the office, eating the lawn and drinking water from the downspout. Hang in just a little longer guys. Winter is almost over. 60s next week!
#coot#wildlife#funnyanimals#animals#wetlands#footprints#blackandwhite#nature#natureisneat#animalwatching#minnesota#spring#usfws#nwr
If you visited Stone Lagoon yesterday, you would have seen over 30 determined volunteers and agency representatives perched on the bluffs. Armed with trowels and coffee, they replanted over 1,000 succulents (Dudleya farinosa) that had been illegally harvested.
The #redwoodnationalandstateparks are home to a myriad of threatened and endangered plant species including D. farinosa. The removal of D. Farinosa can cause a chain of environmental damage, including habitat degradation, dune destabilization, and loss of vegetation.
Due to the efforts of multiple agencies, volunteers, and visitors, your National and State Parks continue to be a place to enjoy and appreciate natural beauty.
#CaliforniaStateParks#coastredwoods#NorthCoastRedwoods#NPS#nationalparkservice#nationalpark#usfws#USFishandWildlife
Jaguar (Panthera onca) || Probably one of the most majestic felines native to the Americas, the jaguar is found throughout Mexico. However, there are a few in the United States. Coined the "North American Jaguar", USFWS has listed the species as endangered in the US. Found in the mountains of Arizona, the cat's status is threatened even further by construction of the border wall. The current border fencing already causes challenges for wildlife to cross and a concrete wall will only make things more difficult. Without access to the Mexican population, the jaguars currently in the US will never mate or produce offspring here. They may be the last of the US population unless something is done.
[photos: USFWS & UA / info: bioGraphic]
#jaguar#bigcats#conservation#humanwildlifeconflict#wildlife#animals#usfws#research
Had a cool experience with this cross fox in Grand Teton National Park with @bestofthetetons, @isaacspicz, and @wildplanetphotography!
A cross fox is a partially melanistic colour variant of the red fox. Cross foxes aren't actually crossed with another animal, the "cross" refers to the shape the colours make on their back.
We had a stationary camera at the National Elk Refuge get vandalized this weekend. The device took a picture of the suspect, presumably laughing after the incident. We believe the perpetrator was a male seasonal vagrant with brown hair, weighing around 700 pounds. We're still following up on leads! #mondayfunday#funatwork#wildliferefuge#usfws
![Jaguar (Panthera onca) || Probably one of the most majestic felines native to the Americas, the jaguar is found throughout Mexico. However, there are a few in the United States. Coined the "North American Jaguar", USFWS has listed the species as endangered in the US. Found in the mountains of Arizona, the cat's status is threatened even further by construction of the border wall. The current border fencing already causes challenges for wildlife to cross and a concrete wall will only make things more difficult. Without access to the Mexican population, the jaguars currently in the US will never mate or produce offspring here. They may be the last of the US population unless something is done.
[photos: USFWS & UA / info: bioGraphic]
#jaguar #bigcats #conservation #humanwildlifeconflict #wildlife #animals #usfws #research](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/444db35bff99bfa0de5898487625b1e2/5B77DBC5/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c180.0.602.602/30605501_169825383845792_3850014705678548992_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTc2MDAwODg5MDkyNDQxMjMzMQ%3D%3D.2.c)
![Public land wonders.
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[Volume 3]
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#iargotrailcreative #iargotrail #createyourtrail #usfws #waterfowlusa #waterfowlhunting #ducks #ducksunlimited #waterfowl #newport #portlife #photography #canonphotography #adobe #photooftheday #publicland #publiclandowner #keepitpublic #mibha](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/c38359f6195e95eb404b6e6ec11e0428/5B52C8F3/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c135.0.810.810/30087677_512398312488193_5344285127046332416_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTc1OTczNzg2NjMyMzQ0MzY2OA%3D%3D.2.c)
![Public land wonders.
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[Volume 2]
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#iargotrailcreative #iargotrail #createyourtrail #usfws #ducksunlimited #newport #portlife #photography #canonphotography #adobe #photooftheday #publicland #publiclandowner #keepitpublic #mibha](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/cd857934ab6f6d371d2d261d62361675/5B6EA5D5/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c135.0.810.810/30079818_1940588152679333_2380951597694844928_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTc1OTcyNTM5MTA5NTkwMDgzMQ%3D%3D.2.c)
![Public land wonders.
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[Volume 1]
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#iargotrailcreative #iargotrail #createyourtrail #usfws #waterfowlusa #waterfowlhunting #ducks #ducksunlimited #waterfowl #newport #portlife #photography #canonphotography #adobe #photooftheday #publicland #publiclandowner #keepitpublic #mibha](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/f54520530758c1f7a369dba49eb1d549/5B9D5DF9/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c135.0.810.810/30080201_2067692216889523_8502021524893466624_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTc1OTcyMzc4MzA5MTk3NzI5NA%3D%3D.2.c)
