Cynanchum revoilii

Cynanchum revoilii

A very common species to mid-level elevations, but I have only occasionally encountered them in bloom like here. It has a strange looking fruit. Elevation: 72…


Southern Kori (Ardeotis kori ssp. kori)

Southern Kori (Ardeotis kori ssp. kori)

Bustards are very large birds, and the southern kori is the largest flying bird in Africa. They have a wingspan of up to 275 cm (9 ft) and up to 20 kg (44 lb)…


Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)

Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)

This is an amazing bird, one of the largest flying bird species on the planet. Yet you rarely see it fly, but when you do it's very clear how large this…


Rüppell's Korhaan (Eupodotis rueppellii)

Rüppell’s Korhaan (Eupodotis rueppellii)

Bustards blend in perfectly with the desert landscape and in withered vegetation, and often not seen unless they are moving. It sounds like this:


Caralluma socotrana

Caralluma socotrana

During my 14 day stay on Socotra I only found this plant with a seed pod. And in what an exquisite state! The pod has just opened, and the seeds are yet to be…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

This is the only confirmed photograph of both sexes of the endemic species I got during my visit, as this is a couple (both sexes look the same, opposed to the…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

A Socotra starling landing in the canopy of a dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) where large amounts of fruits await. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon…


Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)

A Socotra starling enjoying a mouthful of dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) fruit. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon blood trees, and within it a…


Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)

This is the male Somali starling - all-black opposed to the female. He's observing me from the branches of the endemic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari)…


Caralluma socotrana

Caralluma socotrana

This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor,…