African Baconfig (Aizoon canariense)

African Baconfig (Aizoon canariense)

African Baconfig (Aizoon canariense) is inconspicuous but commonly found in sandy plains of the coast and further inland. This is the first I've found with…


Robber fly (Subfamily Asilinae)

Robber fly (Subfamily Asilinae)

A brief encounter with one of perhaps more species of robber flies on Socotra. Elevation: 918 meters.


Blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus)

Blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus)

Barbets are such colorful birds and when seen out in the open on a naked branch, you would not think of this as a bird very hard to locate once it’s in the…


Yellow-cheeked tit (Machlolophus spilonotus)

Yellow-cheeked tit (Machlolophus spilonotus)

A brief encounter with yellow-cheeked tit (Machlolophus spilonotus), one of the many species (12 to date) of tits. It was foraging inside thickets alongside…


Corbichonia decumbens

Corbichonia decumbens

I found this corbichonia decumbens on the riverside of Kalesan gorge, which means it must endure flash floods - impressive! Native range is Dry Tropical and…


Corbichonia decumbens

Corbichonia decumbens

I found this corbichonia decumbens on the riverside of Kalesan gorge, which means it must endure flash floods - impressive! Native range is Dry Tropical and…


Belonogaster saussurei

Belonogaster saussurei

During bloom the widespread shrub croton socotranus is an important food source for insects of all sizes. Here the paper wasp belonogaster saussurei is…


Belonogaster saussurei

Belonogaster saussurei

A beautiful specimen of Ochradenus socotranus, untouched by livestock due to its position high up a sheer cliff face. In the morning shade from the towering…


Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

It's amazing how birds can navigate vast distances and find tiny plates of food like this small lagoon in the middle of the Shuab valley on the west coast of…


Aizoon canariense UV

Aizoon canariense UV

As the petals were gone (I found none in bloom), this photo is more on the developing fruit than a true flower.