18 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails
You can find these dormant (aestivating) land snails (Achatinelloides) sporadically throughout Socotra, but find them covering an entire Socotra cucumber tree…
15 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)
A very young Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) that has survived the insatiable appetite of the goats - only because it growing where they cannot…
4 Feb 2023
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
This is the only place I've encountered Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs of Socotra's northeast, and…
3 Feb 2023
Large Caltrops (Pedalium murex)
Large Caltrops (Pedalium murex) ia an introduced species to Socotra that spreads from gardens, and date groves. Native range is West Tropical Africa to Eritrea…
24 Nov 2018
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Rainbow-bearded thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani) is one of few high altitude hummingbirds, and not easy to get up close with unless you know it's favorite…
23 Nov 2018
Sapphire-vented Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani)
Sapphire-vented puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani) is a frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador and here its visiting a brugmansia trumpet flower.
23 Nov 2018
Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)
At 11 cm (4,33 in) and a long bill buff-winged starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae) is one of the larger species of hummingbirds. It's commonly visiting feeders…
23 Nov 2018
Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)
Speckled hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) is one of the smallest of the hummingbird species. Both sexes look alike.
22 Nov 2018
White-whiskered Hermit (Phaethornis yaruqui)
White-whiskered hermit (Phaethornis yaruqui) is a large hummingbird with a distinct hum from its large wings. Its visit to feeders is very brief and sporadic…