16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)
When not in bloom the cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis) looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only…
16 Nov 2012
Cactus nest on Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)
For birds that have a need to build nests above ground, a desert has few options, so they learn to deal with the spines and use them to their advantage. It…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) - the white-spined variety is my favourite of the cacti here, and with the backdrop of the white salt…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
The flowers of this cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) are simply gorgeous! Huge, juicy and dripping with resin! Without these cacti, the…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
Many of the local guides regard the white-spined cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) as a separate species from the brown-spined, but…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
Many of the local guides regard the white-spined cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) as a separate species from the brown-spined, but…
14 Nov 2012
Maihueniopsis molfinoi
When the flower is gone, the remaining part is well protected from being reached, so what species is the fruit aimed at? Only insects and small rodents will…
14 Nov 2012
Maihueniopsis molfinoi
I found two variations of maihueniopsis molfinoi, this one has the longer and denser spines.
Native range is Bolivia and Argentina.
14 Nov 2012
Maihueniopsis molfinoi
I found two variations of maihueniopsis molfinoi, this one has the shorter and less dense spines. Altitude: 4004 metres. Native range is Bolivia and……
14 Nov 2012
Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas) & Southern viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)
In a garden of rock formations resembling many different animals I was baffled to suddenly stand in front of this Viscacha monitoring my movements.