Socotra Mabuya (Trachylepis socotrana)

Socotra Mabuya (Trachylepis socotrana)

The trail to Hoq cave is a great place to see the Socotra mabuya, as they are easily seen from the trail. Endemic.


Socotra Mabuya (Trachylepis socotrana)

Socotra Mabuya (Trachylepis socotrana)

The endemic Socotra Mabuya and the Socotra Rock Gecko (Pristurus sokotranus) are species commonly seen in the same landscape throughout Socotra.


Socotra Skink (Trachylepis socotrana)

Socotra Skink (Trachylepis socotrana)

As I was busy photographing the flowers of this Cucumis prophetarum, this skink entered the scene and started consuming one flower after another! Not easy…


Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

The breeding season is over, and only a few of the species remain. This couple had two juveniles practicing fishing and will likely leave this sandbank in the…


Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

The dry season is overtaken by the water, and the rivers are swelling day by day. Slowly the many sandbanks will be submerged and with them many birds relying…


Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

My only sighting of this peculiar species was along the Tuichi River, so I never saw it hunting. Its peculiar beak is used as a kind of fishing rod, and it…