18 Dec 2023
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…
15 Dec 2023
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…
4 Feb 2023
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…
15 Apr 2017
Striated Laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata)
I encountered the striated laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata) many times during my time in Bhutan, but rarely in clear view like this. In fact I thought I…
6 Apr 2017
Hoary-throated barwing (Actinodura nipalensis)
Experiencing the rhododendron forests in bloom is an amazing experience in many ways as they are a magnet to so many incredible bird species. Sometimes you may…
31 Mar 2017
Long-tailed sibia (Heterophasia picaoides)
To the human eye a tree with just these flaming inflorescences is a wonder to behold, but for pollinators and nectar hunters alike this is a welcome and very…
9 Nov 2016
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…
7 Nov 2016
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…
6 Feb 2015
Cucumis prophetarum
The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. This is likely Cucumis prophetarum ssp dissectum, as it is more…