Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus)

Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus)

Fazenda San Fransico’s rice fields are irresitible to a number of bird species, and this is where I first saw the third species of ibis at the farm. It sounds…


Plumbeous Ibis (Theristicus caerulescens)

Plumbeous Ibis (Theristicus caerulescens)

Fazenda San Fransico's rice fields are irresitible to a number of bird species, and this is where I first saw the second species of ibis at the farm. It sounds…


Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus)

Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus)

One of several species of ibis. If you don't see them you definitely hear them! It sounds like this: Also called white-throated ibis.


Cleistocactus samaipatanus

Cleistocactus samaipatanus

Finding cacti on the sheer cliffs of Refugio Los Volcanes was a surprise to me! I saw their red flowers  from afar, but assumed totally different species.


Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

When not in bloom the cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis) looks just like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found…


Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

When not in bloom the cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis) looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only…


Cactus nest on Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)

Cactus nest on Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)

For birds that have a need to build nests above ground, a desert has few options, so they learn to deal with the spines and use them to their advantage. It…


Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) - the white-spined variety is my favourite of the cacti here, and with the backdrop of the white salt…


Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

The flowers of this cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) are simply gorgeous! Huge, juicy and dripping with resin! Without these cacti, the…


Trichocereus atacamensis

Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

Many of the local guides regard the white-spined cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) as a separate species from the brown-spined, but…