U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

During sunset the Upper Lake at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada is the perfect place to see the beautiful pink and purple mountains that the Mojave Desert is famous for! Credit: USFWS

Happy National Plant a Flower Day! As we welcome the extra sunlight and warmer weather, we can expect pollinators like bees and butterflies to make their way through our green spaces. One way to encourage them to enjoy their visit is by planting native species. Invasive species can outcompete native plants for resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight, further reducing the availability of nectar and pollen-rich flowers that pollinators rely on. So if you’d like to put your green thumb to use this spring, be sure to research plants native to your area before starting gardening. https://ow.ly/QH0750VgMnO 📸monarch butterfly on purple coneflower by Keith Ramos/USFWS 📸joe-pye weed by Gerri Wilson/USFWS 📸milkweed by Ken Sturm/USFWS 📸violet aster by Chase Mullins/USFWS

It won’t be long until male ruffed grouse start drumming. Their sound can be compared to someone trying to start an engine in the distance. Have you heard any lately? 📷 courtesy of Susan Drury/CC BY 2.0 https://flic.kr/p/kCDp24

A nature photographer and frequent visitor to Merced National Wildlife Refuge in California has been trying for at least 3 years to get "THE" photo — the Teal Trifecta! Try as he might, while he could get all three species together in the frame, one would have their head up or two would have their heads up, but never, all three. Then, finally! Success! All three... with their heads down. Can you identify the teal species from left to right? Answer will be shown tomorrow! Photo courtesy of JFairbanks_Photos

Western Hercules beetles are the rhinos of invertebrates in the Desert Southwest. At up to two and half inches long, they're huge (for insects) and very strong. Males in this species grow a large horn, which is an easy way to tell the sexes apart. Photo: cockroachcharles on iNaturalist, CC-BY-NC, https://lnkd.in/gHwsuckj

Common snipes are crepuscular, meaning they're mostly active at dawn and dusk. Found in a wide range of wetland habitats, including marshes and bogs, these elusive birds camouflage well into their surroundings and have a unique zig-zag flight pattern. Photo courtesy of J. Kimura at Modoc National Wildlife Refuge in California.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge: A Landscape of Nature and Harriet Tubman History. Blackwater is a prime spot for migratory birds and other wildlife, thanks to its lush wetlands and forests. But the stories here go deeper than the roots of the towering trees. This land holds history. Blackwater’s landscapes were once familiar to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad hero who risked everything to lead others to freedom. She was born here. She escaped here. And she returned here to help others do the same. Conserving these habitats isn’t just about protecting wildlife, it’s about preserving the past. Across coastal Maryland, biologists and archaeologists are working together to safeguard both the land and its stories against the passage of time. See the comments for more of the story. Photo of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland by Robert Bourgot (sharetheexperience)

Moose calling is an art, a science, and occasionally... a comedy routine. Picture this: you're deep in the wilderness of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, surrounded by golden willows and snow-dusted peaks. You raise a handmade birch bark call to your lips, let out a long, mournful moan, and then... wait. Silence. Then, from the distance, a deep grunt. Your heart pounds. Is it a moose? Or did you just accidentally catfish a very confused bear? This is the essence of hunting in Alaska. It's a place where skill, patience, and a little bit of good-natured luck come together in an unforgettable experience. For many, hunting here isn’t just about the harvest; it’s about the connection to the land, the respect for wildlife, and the stories that last a lifetime. Hunting is allowed at all 16 national wildlife refuges in Alaska, providing access to some of the most remote and pristine landscapes in the country. Whether you're looking for deer, elk, waterfowl, or big-game, our National Wildlife Refuge System has some of the best hunting opportunities in the United States. Read more about hunting opportunities within the refuge system and plan your next hunt today: https://ow.ly/Oy0S50V76Ei Photo of hunter calling moose by Craig Roberts/USFWS

You know what they say: "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day; teach a fish to thrive, and you've got a conservation success story." It's a real saying, trust us. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is making waves by releasing the endangered Barrens topminnow (Fundulus julisia) back into its native Tennessee waters. These resilient little swimmers have faced upstream battles against habitat loss and invasive species, but with dedicated conservation efforts, they're back where they belong. Recently, USFWS staff and partners journeyed to south-central Tennessee to release a substantial number of these colorful fish and conduct population surveys. Thanks to the dedication of partners, the Barrens topminnow has found its way back home. Read more: https://ow.ly/SBu850VcobO Photo of a collage of partners, USFWS staff and a hand holding a male Barrens topminnow being temporarily captured to collect data. Photo by USFWS

Have you ever seen a bird with a missing tail? It happens! Like lizards, birds can drop their tail to escape a predator. They can also lose their tail feathers due to stress or fear. For a bird, a tail is vital for stability, on the ground or in flight, and serves as a brake during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, birds replace all their feathers each year through a process known as molting, and this spotted towhee will begin growing new feathers soon. Photo by Johnny Bradley/USFWS at San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.