Children of the neelakurinji

Children of the neelakurinji

Barefoot, these kids are climbing a very special mountainside behind their Ooty village. For the first time in their lives the hill has become purple with…


Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) bloom of 2018

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) bloom of 2018

Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years! During an entire century this species will bloom only 8 times – that…


Neelakurinji bloom in the Nilgiris

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) bloom of 2018

A spectacular view of the Neelakurinji bloom in the Nilgiris! Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years!…


Refugio Los Volcanes, Amboró National Park

Refugio Los Volcanes, Amboró National Park

This tiny building in the middle the small green lawn is the lodge! Altitude: 1397 metres.


Refugio Los Volcanes, Amboró National Park

Refugio Los Volcanes, Amboró National Park

I was lucky to see these incredibly beautiful and unique mountains on my way in and out of the reserve! In the rainy season you might not see anything but…


Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae)

Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae)

The green-cheeked parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae) was quite hard to see up close, as it was usually in the dense canopy when in the valleys. Not in dead trees,…


Tillandsia samaipatensis

Tillandsia samaipatensis

Tillandsia samaipatensis species can grow to huge specimens with enormous inflorescences that dangles in the wind from the sheer cliffs of Refugio Los…


Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata)

Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata)

Mitred parakeet (Aratinga mitrata) is perhaps the most numerous of the parakeet species here, and I saw many flocks of them escaping the various birds of……


Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus)

Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus)

If you know of a dead tree, or a tree with a dead branch nearby - just wait there for a while and you're bound to find flycatchers or other birds with a need…


Cleistocactus samaipatanus

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.…