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…


Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)

One of few high altitude hummingbirds, and not easy to get up close with unless you know it's favorite specimens of flowering plants in its territory, to which…


Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis gayi)

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis gayi)

I immediately thought of ptarmigans of northern Europe when I encountered this seedsnipe. It is in fact a short-legged wader living on plants and seeds. It…


White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

After an amazing experience with a spectacled bear I was on my way to the main road when I noticed this deer feeding not far from the road. So well camouflaged…


Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

What an amazing experience it was to see this rare spectacled bear. I spotted it driving to the next destination on my schedule, and could not believe it when…


Sapphire-vented Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani)

Sapphire-vented Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani)

A frequent visitor to feeders in Ecuador and here its visiting a brugmansia trumpet flower.


Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)

Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)

At 11 cm (4,33 in) and a long bill its one of the larger species of hummingbirds. It's commonly visiting feeders throughout its range in Ecuador.


Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)

Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)

One of the smallest of the hummingbird species. Both sexes look alike.


Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata)

Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata)

A fantastic experience to have this beautiful bird singing right outside my bedroom. I had hoped to be able to capture it and was hoping it was not frightened…