Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

You can find these dormant (aestivating) land snails (Achatinelloides) sporadically throughout Socotra, but find them covering an entire Socotra cucumber tree…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

A very young Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) that has survived the insatiable appetite of the goats - only because it growing where they cannot…


Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

This is the only place I've encountered Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs of Socotra's northeast, and…


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…


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…


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…