Resources for Animal and Plant Images

With widespread Web access, more images of plants and animals are available than ever before. Still, finding reliable sources of images of organisms with credible identifications can be challenging. This page highlights reliable sources for correctly identified organisms such as photo libraries and image collections from federal agencies and academic institutions. For additional image galleries, browse the NBII catalog for animals and plant image galleries at the bottom of this page.

NBII-LIFE Library of Images from the Environment

NBII-LIFE Banner [Photo: NBII Library of images from the Environment]

The NBII Library of Images from the Environment is a growing collection of over 11,000 images of diverse, well-documented images of nature and the environment. Topics include animals, fungi and lichens, plants, microorganisms, interactions among species, landscapes , weather, research, environmental topics, and management.

Use the search box below and click "Submit" to start your search.

Image Resources | Federal

USDA Logo [Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture]

U.S. Department of Agriculture On Line Photography Center
This collection of photographs features images related to USDA activities including firefighting, agriculture, animals, conservation, aquaculture, forestry, and many more topics.

USDA Logo [Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture]

U.S. Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database Image Gallery
This image gallery features 40,000 + photos and line drawings of plants, primarily from the United States.

U.S. EPA Logo [Image: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Photo Library
This photo library contains photographs of invertebrates, fish, birds, butterflies, streams/rivers, lakes, and water recreation related to biological indicators of watershed health.


U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video and that are in the public domain.


U.S. Forest Service "Find-a-photo"
Find-a-Photo provides access to thousands of wildlife, fish, wildflower and environmental education photographs provided by Forest Service employees, Forest Service partners, and volunteers.

U.S. Geological Survey Logo [Image: U.S. Geological Survey]

U.S. Geological Survey Photo and Image Collections
This Web page features a comprehensive list of USGS photo and image collections including biology, ecosystems, water, national parks, and other topics.


National Biological Information Infrastructure Library of Images from the Environment  
The NBII-LIFE Web site features images of animals, fungi and lichens, plants, microorganisms, interactions among species, landscapes and weather, environmental topics, research, and management.

NOAA Logo [Image: NOAA]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Photo Library
Includes many images of ocean exploration, coral reefs, marine organisms, fisheries, coastlines, estuaries, and historical images.

U.S. NPS Logo [Image: U.S. National Park Service]

U.S. National Park Service Digital Image Archives
This site provides links to public domain digital images of many U.S. NPS sites including national parks, monuments, historic sites, and related areas.

Image Resources | Academic

CalPhotos

CalPhotos
CalPhotos features over 150,000 digital images of organisms from categories such as plants, animals, fungi, landscapes, and more.

ForestryImages.org Logo [Copyright: Bugwood.org]

ForestryImages.org
ForestryImages.org is a source for images of forest pests, trees, plants and stand types, wildlife, and other forestry related images. It is a collaboration between the University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service.

TENN Herbarium Logo [Copyright: University of Tennessee]

University of Tennessee Herbarium - TENN
This searchable herbarium includes descriptions and photos of bryophytes, fungi, and vascular plants.

Image Resources | Morphology and Comparative Anatomy

Digimorph logo [Copyright: Digimorph.org]

Digimorph.org
The Digital Morphology library features high resolution X-ray computer tomography (CT) images of organisms including invertebrates, sharks and fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and dinosaurs.

Morphbank.net logo [Copyright: Morphbank.net]

Morphbank.net
Morphbank is a database of images used for research and education. Images are used for research in comparative anatomy, morphological and taxonomic studies, and for general knowledge.

Animal Image Galleries
Showing 10 of 408 ( Show All )
Plant Image Galleries
Showing 10 of 99 ( Show All )
The NBII Program is administered by the Biological Informatics Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
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