Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

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…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

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…


Socotra plant 41 (Cucurbitaceae)

Socotra plant 41 (Cucurbitaceae)

This is the only place I've encountered this species on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs and finds moisture from the water seeping out…


Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus)

Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus)

Capturing birds in the wild is hard as they rarely get close enough, especially for the smaller of the species like this one. A brief encounter at the San…


Grey-sided bush warbler (Cettia brunnifrons)

Grey-sided bush warbler (Cettia brunnifrons)

It’s amazing how such tiny bird species (just think of the house wren for instance) can produce such loud sounds, and that it is done so with seemingly no more…


Cucumis prophetarum

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…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I've never seen it before, nor do I know if it's an endemic or not.


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

I don't know the color of the ripe fruit, but this one was swollen and seemed to be nearing it's final stages for seed dispersal.


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Less famous than the desert rose or bottle tree, but equally amazing with its oversized trunk compared to the tiny branches. The leaves can vary wildly on a…