Yareta (Azorella compacta)

Yareta (Azorella compacta)

This enormous and partially dying yareta (Azorella compacta) is growing by one of many incredibly beautiful rock outcrops here called Valle de las Rocas, or…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas) & Southern viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas) & Southern viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)

In a garden of rock formations resembling many different animals I was baffled to suddenly stand in front of this Viscacha monitoring my movements. It's like…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

One of the many "sculptures" in this amazing place, that seemed without any kind of face or specific form. Still I think there is a wolf-like head on the top…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Yet another animal, and to me perhaps a dolphin's face. Later in the day or even under the starry sky it might look like another creature. A different angle…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Most are unable to see nature's never ending miracles - from the smallest of scales to the large. They stand amidst it all but are filled with thoughts of the…


Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Rock Valley (Valle de las Rocas)

Many kilometres before I got to here, I noticed a very unusual rock formation in the landscape. Like a fissure from which Earth has had time to have fun and be…


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.…