Violet Zoanthids (Zoanthus sansibaricus)

Violet Zoanthids (Zoanthus sansibaricus)

Socotra's biodiversity on land is undisputed and world famous, but it is equally diverse on the coast and in the sea. I am focusing on the terrestrial realm…


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…


South African Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris)

South African Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris)

The South African ground squirrel (Geosciurus inauris) squirrel is as cute to us humans as any species of squirrels with their fast pace an entertaining…


Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris ssp. campestris)

Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris ssp. campestris)

The southern steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris ssp. campestris) is blending well with the dry grasses, both in color and small size as it reaches no more than…


Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)

Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)

A common species in Costa Rica, and a frequent visitor to easy meals provided by humans - just like the squirrels in Europe and North America, except it is not…


Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Gaur (Bos gaurus)

This magnificent animal is the largest of all wild cattle. Unfortunately humanity's insatiable desire to destroy habitats has decimated its numbers. Thus the…


Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Gaur (Bos gaurus) is a magnificent giant that only fears humans and tigers. It is the largest of all wild cattle and is also called Indian bison by many. Like…


Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

An encounter with a member of a group of Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus). In what seemed like a quiet morning with little wildlife in Kedarnath Musk…


Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

My goal was to get a glimpse of this high altitude species, and on my first morning I did see a lone adult male quite near in. I did get a decent image and was…


Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

This is a terribly lonely tortoise. It was removed from its homeland of Madagascar decades ago to this island (Bird Island) when the island was a coconut and…