Haghier mountains

Haghier mountains, Socotra

This cow looks out of place high up in the Haghier mountains, but hunger drives it higher and higher until there is nowhere to go. Without the cattle and…


Searsia thyrsiflora UV

Searsia thyrsiflora UV

Searsia thyrsiflora is nNot particularly colorful in visible light and even less so in UV - all dark as it is. Endemic.


Searsia thyrsiflora

Searsia thyrsiflora

I found this searsia thyrsiflora, and many others on top of Socotra – Skand (or Skand), but few with good flowers as it was nearing the end of the season.…


Searsia thyrsiflora

Searsia thyrsiflora

I found this searsia thyrsiflora, and many others on top of Socotra - Skand (or Skand), but few with good flowers as it was nearing the end of the season.…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

This is the only confirmed photograph of both sexes of the endemic species I got during my visit, as this is a couple (both sexes look the same, opposed to the…


This individual was looking for insects is between the withering foliage, likely spiders.

Socotra sparrow (Passer insularis)

In the Firhmin Forest I encountered this Socotra sparrow looking for insects in between the withering foliage, likely spiders. On the beach of Shuab of west…


Socotra sparrow (Passer insularis)

Socotra sparrow (Passer insularis)

This sparrow is searching for anything edible and seems to be focused on insects as there are no fruits or seeds to be found on the ground as the goats have…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

A Socotra starling landing in the canopy of a dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) where large amounts of fruits await. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

A Socotra starling enjoying a mouthful of dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) fruit. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon blood trees, and within it a…


Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

This is the male Somali starling - all-black opposed to the female. He's observing me from the branches of the endemic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari)…