Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica)

Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica)

Most of the Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica) I have encountered have been heavily browsed by goats, and this individual is no exception, except that…


Cynanchum revoilii

Cynanchum revoilii

Cynanchum revoilii is a very common species to mid-level elevations, but I have only occasionally encountered them in bloom like here. It has a strange looking…


Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica)

Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica)

A vibrant, healthy and quite tall Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica), found next to the walls of the north east of Socotra. These vertical cliffs…


Robber fly (Subfamily Asilinae)

Robber fly (Subfamily Asilinae)

A brief encounter with one of perhaps more species of robber flies on Socotra. Elevation: 918 meters.


Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)

Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)

A brilliantly colored male of the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) often seen at feeding stations in its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this:……


Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Encountering this koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a…


Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

A koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) leisurly crossing the road. The many species of pheasant found in the Himalayas is incredible, and seeing them up…


Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is the state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly…


Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

This is a common species, but nonetheless a beautiful one, especially when you can see it in the open like here, where it was foraging in the leaf litter and…


Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

On my way down from an amazing sunrise near the Dochula Pass I encountered this gorgeous male kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) strolling leisurely with…