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…


Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis)

Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis)

This was a lovely encounter as they were so relaxed and unprovoked by my presence. They are not endemic to Socotra and are as such not a threatened species.…


Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps ssp. melanauchen)

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps ssp. melanauchen)

This location was full of bird song from the black-crowned sparrow-lark and other bird species. Most of Socotra is rather silent in regards to bird sounds. You…


Plocama puberula

Plocama puberula

My first encounter with Plocama puberula. It's growing in a crack of the wall of Dirhur canyon, where it is accessing water seepage that lasts long after the…


Caralluma socotrana

Caralluma socotrana

During my 14 day stay on Socotra I only found this Caralluma socotrana with a seed pod. And in what an exquisite state! The pod has just opened, and the seeds…


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…