Searsia thyrsiflora

Searsia thyrsiflora

Searsia thyrsiflora is a common species on Socotra's northwestern limestone plateau (Hamaderoh) where this is captured, and the Haghier mountains. Endemic.…


Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)

Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)

The marine life around Socotra is rich and diverse, but I am focusing on the flora and fauna on land. However, I had a short window of opportunity during low…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Erissel is the easternmost point of Socotra. It is a windswept low-lying area governed by the elements. During cyclones the wind and sea wreak havoc on the…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Erissel is the easternmost point of Socotra. It is a windswept low-lying area governed by the elements. During cyclones the wind and sea wreak havoc on the…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

The north-facing beach of the tip of Erissel is wide and deep, with a large part only tasting the waves during monsoons. This is perfect conditions for the…


Inversed Fiddler Crab (Cranuca inversa)

Inversed Fiddler Crab (Cranuca inversa)

I found plenty of this species at this location and no signs of competing species. They thrive here next to a large date grove, where I rested in their…


Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris)

Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris)

At 10cm (4in) this is one of the smaller species of antpittas.


Chestnut-crowned antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla)

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla)

A rare encounter with a chestnut-crowned antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla). The secretive antpittas are heard for the most part and seen only when you patiently…


Green-and-black Fruiteater (Pipreola riefferii)

Green-and-black Fruiteater (Pipreola riefferii)

As the name implies this is a fruit eater, and thus also a seed-disperser, yet I've never encountered it by any feeding stations. It blends in very well with…


Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

This is such a unique looking species, unmistakable and like no other bird species. I've encountered it deep in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela, by the…