6 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
During bloom the widespread shrub croton socotranus is an important food source for insects of all sizes. Here the paper wasp belonogaster saussurei is…
3 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
A beautiful specimen of Ochradenus socotranus, untouched by livestock due to its position high up a sheer cliff face. In the morning shade from the towering…
29 Nov 2012
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.…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)
When not in bloom the cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis) looks just like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)
When not in bloom the cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis) looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only…
16 Nov 2012
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…
16 Nov 2012
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…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
The flowers of this cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) are simply gorgeous! Huge, juicy and dripping with resin! Without these cacti, the…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
Many of the local guides regard the white-spined cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) as a separate species from the brown-spined, but…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana)
Many of the local guides regard the white-spined cardon cactus (Trichocereus atacamensis ssp. pasacana) as a separate species from the brown-spined, but…