Tropical Giant
The tropical tree Ceiba pentandra, otherwise known as Kapok. This is a rare large individual in a lowland tropical forest and was highly commended in the 2013 BMC Ecology photo contest.
Fake Flock
A flock of decoy Northern Gannets on the North Island of New Zealand. Ecologists are trying to re-establish real gannets by setting up these fake flocks and playing gannet calls through solar-powered speakers. This photo was highly commended in the 2013 BMC Ecology photo contest.
Scientific Expedition
Researchers carry vegetation survey equipment to a forest dynamics plot in Puerto Rico.
Blue Tide
A dinoflagellate (plankton) bloom turns the tide luminous blue in this "highly commended" 2013 BMC Ecology photo.
Penguin Hearts
This BMC Ecology commended photo illustrates research into the stress of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus). Researchers fitted a penguin with an external heart rate monitor and compared the pitter-patter of the penguin hearts in parts of the colony disturbed by human presence and parts not disturbed. At the upper right, a heart rate trace shows when a bird's heart rate spiked during capture.