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.…


Striated Laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata)

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…


Hoary-throated barwing (Actinodura nipalensis)

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…


Long-tailed sibia (Heterophasia picaoides)

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…


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…


Cleome brachycarpa

Cleome brachycarpa

On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting plants, and luckily some not destroyed by goats. Up close you…


Peru Pacific Iguana (Microlophus peruvianus)

Peru Pacific Iguana (Microlophus peruvianus)

The coast of Peru is a desert, and fresh water is only available from springs or rivers fed by the Andes. This Peru Pacific iguana (Microlophus peruvianus) was…