3 Feb 2023
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…
3 Feb 2023
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…
11 Feb 2015
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…
11 Feb 2015
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…
11 Feb 2015
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…
11 Feb 2015
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)…
4 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
There are two species of starling found on Socotra, but only the Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater) is endemic. This is a female Somali starling, which…
4 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
This female Somali starling is in the middle of a morning preening and beauty session on the beautiful Shuab beach of Socotra. Ruffling the feathers and…
1 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
Around the cave by the beautiful Detwah lagoon I found a large group of Somali starlings. They were congregating on the rock face around the opening and they…