Home | Morten Ross

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…

by morten

DihamriSocotraZoanthidaeSea Anemones and Corals

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…

by morten

GalápagosEcuadorSantiagoNature

5 Dec 2011

Santiago Island lavaflow

An island in a sea of hardened lavaflow on an island in a sea of water! This is on the south east side of the island, close to the Pinnacle Rock.…

by morten

GalápagosEcuadorSantiagoNature

5 Dec 2011

Santiago Island lavaflow

What a sight this must have been, when the lava was flowing here a few years ago, and surrounded this outcrop! This is on the north west side of the island.…

by morten

GalápagosEcuadorSantiagoBirds

Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia aureola)

5 Dec 2011

Mangrove Warbler (Dendroica petechia aureola)

The mangrove warbler (Dendroica petechia aureola) is the only yellow bird in Galapagos. Here it's foraging for food very close to a sea lion and the waves…

by morten

EcuadorSantiagoGalápagosBirds

5 Dec 2011

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

This brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) was fast asleep, and just occasionally opened its eyelids to check us out. It sounds like this: James…

by morten

GalápagosEcuadorSantiagoInsectsAcrididae

5 Dec 2011

Large Painted Locust (Schistocerca melanocera)

Large Painted Locust (Schistocerca melanocera) is a large and colorful grasshopper, and quite difficult to spot unless you catch it moving. James…

by morten

EcuadorSantiagoGalápagosPlantsConvolvulaceaeFlowers

5 Dec 2011

Morning glory (Ipomoea incarnata)

Morning glory (Ipomoea incarnata) has an unusual flower, resembling a Petunia. I only encountered this species on Santiago. Perhaps it's endemic to Santiago?…

by morten

EcuadorSantiagoGalápagosBoraginaceaePlantsLeaves