Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)

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…


Violet Zoanthids (Zoanthus sansibaricus)

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…


Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)

Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)

The large Andean goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) is unmistakable and very conspicuous, and I saw several of them here at River Alota. A haven in the middle of…


Andean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus)

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)

The huge, dry Altiplano is not without water. Several springs feed lagoons and rivers - even in the deepest of the dry season. This is River Alota, shallow…


Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)

This shallow river is teaming with life and fish - in the middle of the desert. I wonder how the fish could end up here - are they remnants of the time when…


Altiplano butterfly 01

Altiplano butterfly 01

One of very few butterflies I saw on the Altiplano. In the Amazon there's a lack of salt and they sometimes swarm aound sweat or urine stains in the landscape.…