5 Feb 2023
Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)
The marine life around Socotra is rich and diverse, but I am focusing on the flora and fauna on land. However, I had a short window of opportunity during low…
5 Feb 2023
Violet Zoanthids (Zoanthus sansibaricus)
Socotra's biodiversity on land is undisputed and world famous, but it is equally diverse on the coast and in the sea. I am focusing on the terrestrial realm…
14 Nov 2012
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
My expectations to see Flamingos were met in excess! All the lagoons had one or more of the 3 species, and their beauty and grace was magnified by their…
14 Nov 2012
James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
From afar the flamingos all seem to be the same species. James's flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) is identified by the red legs, that the black tip on the bill…
14 Nov 2012
Laguna Colorada
This lagoon simply defies logic! Seeing this lagoon for the first time made me think of a chemical spill or some other human made disaster. In the middle of…
14 Nov 2012
Laguna Colorada
If you ever wondered why many of the Flamingo species are red or pink, look no further! This is the reddest lagoon I've ever seen, an eating from it will…
14 Nov 2012
Laguna Colorada
This is shot towards the low evening sun, and the contrast gives the appearance that he lagoon is just slightly red, and even blue close to the shore. The dust…
14 Nov 2012
Werneria incisa
Werneria incisa is a salt and mineral tolerant plant that thrives here and has generated large mats close to the water. Further down there is only naked shores…
14 Nov 2012
Werneria incisa
The salt tolerant werneria incisa grows where the high watermark is, and is thus very salt and mineral tolerant. You can see the salt and mineral deposits to…
14 Nov 2012
Altiplano bog
A bog in a desert? How can that be? It's possible due to stable springs. These springs feed small streams, rivers, and ultimately the many lagoons found here.…