Images of the Imperiled
A Photographic Essay
Editor’s Note: In our interview with Larry Master in this issue, he speaks of the beginnings of the network of Natural Heritage Programs, now NatureServe. Since childhood, Larry has had a passion for nature, especially birds and mammals, and for photography as both a source of enjoyment and a tool for conservation. He has traveled worldwide to photograph some of the most imperiled species in the world, from polar bears to black rhinos. Larry expresses beautifully his passion for photography and his reason for giving freely of his work in this wonderful short video. We are honored to share these stunning photos of some of this region’s imperiled species. – Liz Thompson
Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum). This small salamander, the only member of the genus Hemidactylium, is widely although discontinuously distributed in shrub and forested wetlands in eastern North America. Rarely seen due to its occurring under objects and among mosses in wetlands, the species is proving to be less rare than previously thought, and its habitat is protected in many areas by wetland regulations. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Common loon (Gavia immer). This iconic species is widespread in North America, breeding in lakes in the North and wintering along the coast. Following significant declines in the Northeast in the last century, populations have slowly increased since 1990, despite continuing threats from shoreline development, recreational pressures, environmental contaminants such as lead from fishing tackle and mercury, and water level fluctuations. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Bicknell’s thrush (Catharus bicknellii). This thrush, formerly described as a separate species in the early 1990s, is restricted to breeding in high-elevation forests in New York, northern New England, and southeastern Canada. Due to its restricted range and habitat, Bicknell’s thrush is considered imperiled in every state and province where it breeds. Global climate change is a future threat on the breeding range. Most of the population winters in the Dominican Republic where deforestation is a threat. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica). Widespread and abundant, Atlantic puffins breed in the high Arctic from eastern Canada to northwestern Russia south to Maine and northern France. In Maine they were nearly eradicated by hunting in the early 20th century, but thanks to conservation efforts they now breed on a handful of small islands. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Intertwined in our history, the bald eagle was chosen as the country’s symbol in 1792. After persecution and egg shell thinning from DDT, it became one of the first listed species under the Endangered Species Act. A conservation success story, bald eagle populations have rebounded in the lower 48 states, and the species is considered “apparently secure” in many states and in every Canadian province and territory (NatureServe). Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Indiana myotis or Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). Despite a wide range in the eastern United States, this bat is considered globally imperiled as it hibernates in a small number of caves where it is vulnerable to disturbance. The species is considered critically imperiled in every state where it occurs, and Vermont hosts the only remaining population in New England. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Puma (Puma concolor). Considered globally secure, the puma (also known as cougar, mountain lion, and catamount) occurs from northern Canada to southern South America. However, the species has been extirpated east of the Mississippi except for a small population in southern Florida. Many scientists and conservationists would like to see this species restored to the Northeast to restore a balance to our forests where an overabundance of white-tailed deer is causing ecological havoc. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
American marten (Martes americana). This species occurs from Alaska south through Canada to the forests of northern New England. Past logging and trapping led to extirpation in some areas (e.g., Massachusetts, Vermont), but populations in northern New England have rebounded thanks to natural reestablishment and reintroduction efforts. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Karner blue(Plebejus melissa samuelis). This small butterfly is found only in small, isolated populations in New Hampshire and the Great Lakes states where it depends on its host plant, wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). Extirpated from Canada and from half of the states where it historically occurred, the species is federally listed as Endangered and is dependent for its continued existence on protection and management of its habitat. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Ram’s head lady’s slipper(Cypripedium arietinum). This rare orchid occurs from northern New England west to Manitoba. Considered globally vulnerable by NatureServe, it is considered critically imperiled in four New England states and is imperiled or vulnerable elsewhere in its range (NatureServe). Besides its inherent rarity, the species faces many threats, including logging, development, suppression of natural disturbance regimes, and collection. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). This species has a large but fragmented range in the eastern United States, but many populations are extirpated and most are declining. Extirpated from Maine and Ontario, it is considered critically imperiled throughout New England due to severe declines from development, as well as persecution and hunting for the pet trade. Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis). This species occurs through the United States and eastern Canada south to Paraguay and Bolivia. It reaches the northeastern edge of its range in New England. Small breeding populations occur in cattail marshes where they are threatened by habitat loss and habitat degradation due to invasive plants (e.g., Phragmites). Photo © Larry Master (www.masterimages.org)
Larry Master is a conservation biologist, a zoologist, and, in his retirement, a conservation photographer. He has been photographing wildlife and natural history subjects for more than 70 years. After doctoral and postdoctoral studies at the University of Michigan, Larry spent 20 years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and six years with NatureServe, most of that time as their Lead Zoologist. Read more about Larry and his work at his artist profile. Larry resides in Keene, NY and soon in Exeter, NH.