Orange-headed thrush (Geokichla citrina)

Orange-headed thrush (Geokichla citrina)

In the dry season water is critical, and if you provide access to water on your property you're certain to attract all the local bird species, and many mammals…


Grey-winged blackbird (Turdus boulboul)

Grey-winged blackbird (Turdus boulboul)

Nothing feels better than a thorough soak in pond during the dry season. In the dry season many people offer permanent water sources for the birds and local…


Caetangil paraguariensis

Caetangil paraguariensis

A very slender plant. Native range is Bolivia, Brazil to Argentina.


Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas)

Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas)

One of several species of birds seen in the garden of Hotel do Ype. Altitude: 1021 metres. It sounds like this:


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 it looks just like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the…


Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

When not in bloom it looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the slopes of…


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)

The white-spined variety is my favourite of the cacti here, and with the backdrop of the white salt flats they create a surreal feeling of ice and snow!


Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)

The flowers of this species are simply gorgeous! Huge, juicy and dripping with resin! Without these cacti, the local insect and bird populations would have a…