Desert Nettle (Forsskaolea viridis)

Desert Nettle (Forsskaolea viridis)

Native range of Desert Nettle (Forsskaolea viridis) is Cape Verde, Southeast Egypt to Namibia, Socotra, Southwest Arabian Peninsula, Northwest India.…


Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris)

Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris)

Southern red-billed hornbill (Tockus rufirostris) is less common than the southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) in Namibia. I enjoyed their…


Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

This incredible looking and large rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) is surprisingly not that easy to see as it can sit silently on a branch, barely…


Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

This is a female rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), resting amidst the fresh leaves of spring. She has seen many springs and knows well what it…


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…


Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis)

The first time you encounter this large bird it’s hard to be silent! I for one just uttered WOW! This amazingly beautiful male was scanning the surroundings,…


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…


Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

This giant tortoise species is named after one of the largest atolls in the world, Aldabra, which is also its last stronghold after centuries of human…


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…