Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi)

Christ’s Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi)

A very popular fruit with Socotris. I have yet to taste one, as these lovely fruits were out of reach for me to pick. Native range is Africa, Arabia to…


Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi)

Christ’s Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi)

This tree is not bearing flowers or fruits, but when in fruit the Socotris will collect what they can as this is a popular fruit. Unfortunately I have yet to…


Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)

Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)

Two Socotra cormorants was actually unusual, as I mostly saw them in one large mass. There are many of this species on the west coast of Socotra, especially…


Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)

Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)

The Socotra cormorant is both endemic to the region and thus a vulnerable species, but also due to excessive habitat loss caused by human activities. It's…


Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvilliorum)

Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvilliorum)

This has become a more uncommon species, and even here around havens like the Ballestas Islands in Peru I saw only a few individuals. None with chicks as I did…


Red-legged Cormorant (Poikilocarbo gaimardi)

Red-legged Cormorant (Poikilocarbo gaimardi)

This is the second of the regional species of cormorant I encountered, also this one becoming more and more rare - just like the guanay cormorant. I was in…


Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

The oxbow lake at the Amazon Reaseach and Conservation Center holds enough fish to support ravenous giant otters, caimans, anhingas and neotropical……


Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

This is a critical moment for the cormorant. It's a large fish and from my vantage point it seems unlikely it would swallow it. If it struggles too long, other…