Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

The largest specimen I have come across of Cleome brachycarpa so far. It's clearly enjoying excellent growing conditions in the shadow of the Archer cliffs.…


Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

With the same color combination as the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris), the orange-bellied euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster) might be difficult to…


Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

With the same color combination as the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) it might be difficult to separate it from the orange-bellied euphonia…


Spot-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia imitans)

Spot-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia imitans)

A female foraging for fruits. Its plumage ensures it blends perfectly with the foliage, and is best seen if you offer fruits or have a preferred fruiting tree…


Olive-backed euphonia (Euphonia gouldi)

Olive-backed euphonia (Euphonia gouldi)

A small bird blending perfectly with the foliage of the canopy where it forages for fruits. The best way to get up close is to offer a selection of fruits in…


Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis)

Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis)

Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis) is a beautiful high-elevation dweller, seen here around the Tungnath temple during the full moon of April…


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…


Cleome brachycarpa UV

Cleome brachycarpa UV

The flower of cleome brachycarpa is bright yellow in visible light but is completely dark and non-reflective in UV light. Native range is Cape Verde to…


Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting flowers, and luckily some not destroyed by goats, like this…