Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

The largest specimen I have come across of Cleome brachycarpa so far. It's clearly enjoying excellent growing conditions in the shadow of the Archer cliffs.…


Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)

Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)

A male in surveying mode, slowly moving its head to scan the surrounding for any insects it can capture.


Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)

Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)

A female in a typical posture, slowly moving its head to survey the surrounding and any insects it can capture.


Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

This incredibly beautiful bird is blending so well with its environment that it can be in a tree right in front of you and you will still miss it. When perched…


Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

A female quetzal consuming a freshly picked fruit from the tree nearby. In the early morning it does this trip to-and-fro several times until satisfied, and…


Socotra Crotalaria Moth (Utetheisa lotrix ssp. socotrensis)

Socotra Crotalaria Moth (Utetheisa lotrix ssp. socotrensis)

At around 800 meter elevation and up the Euryops arabicus were in bloom and thus a lot of insects gathered to eat from the huge number of flowers. This was one…


Peppered Moray (Gymnothorax pictus)

Peppered Moray (Gymnothorax pictus)

When I had some time on a small beach on the way to Shuab beach of west Socotra I found lots of interesting marine life, but was surprised to see this young…


Cleome brachycarpa UV

Cleome brachycarpa UV

The flower of cleome brachycarpa is bright yellow in visible light but is completely dark and non-reflective in UV light. Native range is Cape Verde to…


Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting flowers, and luckily some not destroyed by goats, like this…


Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting plants, and luckily some not destroyed by goats. Up close you…