Sikkim Rhubarb (Rheum nobile)

Sikkim Rhubarb is found in Sikkim’s alpine biome to 5000 meters elevation. Elevation: 4831 meters. Native range is Afghanistan to South Tibet and North Myanmar.

Sikkim Rhubarb (Rheum nobile)

Sikkim Rhubarb is found in Sikkim’s alpine biome to 5000 meters elevation. Elevation: 4831 meters. Native range is Afghanistan to South Tibet and North Myanmar.

Rhododendron setosum

Rhododendron setosum is found in Sikkim’s temperate to alpine biomes to 5600 meters elevation. Elevation: 4831 meters. Native range is Central & East Himalaya to South Tibet.

Rhododendron setosum

Rhododendron setosum is found in Sikkim’s temperate to alpine biomes to 5600 meters elevation. Elevation: 4831 meters. Native range is Central & East Himalaya to South Tibet.

Myricaria rosea

Myricaria rosea is found in Sikkim’s temperate to alpine biomes to 4500 meters elevation. Elevation: 3636 meters. Native range is Nepal to China.

Kalesan, Socotra

I was here exactly 8 years ago – 6 February 2015. There is quite a bit more water now, perhaps 1,5 to 2 meters deeper. There are few signs of the powerful cyclones Chapala and Megh that followed after my visit in 2015 and the following years. But I did not see any of the […]

Morten Ross and Peucedanum cordatum

Due to the very high numbers of goats on Socotra, many endemic and already endangered species have just one last option for survival – the vertical cliffs! For those species specializing on growing in these harsh conditions this is their normal habitat, but for those that normally would thrive on the ground, but find a […]

Erissel, Socotra

These towers are made by the male Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan). The crabs are found on the coast throughout Socotra, but they are only able to make these castles where the tides do not regularly reach. Here in Erissel they dig deep to reach the wet sands, and thus these towers reach pretty […]

Arabian Jointed Glasswort (Suaeda vermiculata)

Erissel – the east-cape of Socotra, is the only place I have encountered this species. It’s a specialist that is able to thrive in the windswept and salty environment nearest to the ocean. It is a colony of plants in different stages of growth and age, ranging from deeply reds and oranges, to vibrant waxy […]

Homhil, Socotra

Socotra is full of extraordinary geological features, and when water is in the mix it is even more spectacular. Here the layers of cascading rock gives the appearance of running water, or even ice forming in a waterfall. Without the people in the mix the scale of the place would not have been easy to […]

Boswellia elongata

The moon, two days to full, hanging above the crown of an old and damaged Boswellia elongata in Homhil. This is one of very few remaining trees of what was once a forest of Boswellia elongata. It is a sad state, and the future is uncertain. The damage to the crown is from past cyclones, […]

Homhil, Socotra

Boswellia elongata

This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The distance between each tree is huge, compared to what it should be, and once was. Only photos from […]

Boswellia elongata

This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The distance between each tree is huge, compared to what it should be, and once was. Only photos from […]

Indigofera pseudointricata

The indigofera pseudointricata is never left alone by the Socotra’s many goats, but for now this individual is left alone to grow, as the winter rains made the grasses lush and abundant. Also found in Somalia. Elevation: 91 meters.

Euphorbia spiralis

At first glance this looks like a cactus, but it is in the spurge family. As the name implies there should be spiral growth, which this specieme does not have. This is a variation of the species, and I have yet to encounter one with the typical screw-like growth. Endemic.

Morten Ross and Dirhur Canyon, Socotra

Here I’m walking on the edge of Dirhur canyon – the deepest and most dramatic of Socotra’s canyons. I’m walking on the edge on the Dixam-side which is facing the Firhmin Forest on the other side of Dirhur.

Tragia balfourii

Endemic.

Morten Ross and Firhmin Forest, Socotra

Here I’m photographing Acridocarpus socotranus, one of many endemic species of plants in the middle of the otherworldly Firhmin Forest. Find more about the status of the dragon blood tree here. Find more information about conservation efforts and studies.

Morten Ross and Firhmin Forest, Socotra

The Firhmin Forest is the largest collection of dragon blood tress in all of Socotra, with an estimated 32 000 trees. To walk in this forest was incredible and to look out at the forest from this vantage point was like standing in a different time and place, as these trees do not look like […]

Firhmin Forest, Socotra

The iconic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), found only on the island of Socotra. Here they grow in the tens of thousands (Firhmin forest is estimated to hold more than thirty thousand trees) and make the only forest of dragon blood trees on Socotra and in the world. They can live for 700 years or […]

Firhmin Forest, Socotra

The dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is undoubtedly the most famous of all plant species on Socotra, and you will know immediately this is a unique tree found only on this very special island. The plant is used as a logo and symbol of anything Socotri, and travel companies, foreign and Socotri, will have this […]

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time. The owners of this blue shed, my favorite building in Hokkaido, […]

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. I found only one shed, and these fishing net floats in bright colors. Here the daylight is coming […]

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. This blue shed was standing very much out in it’s unique color, which brings down the color of […]

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

A very popular location in Hokkaido to watch red-crowned cranes roosting is Setsuri River from the Otowa Bridge. This is a long time favorite of both cranes and people alike, as the cranes feel safe here and come in a decent number, and humans get a beautiful view of the river, cranes and the surroundings. […]

The Neck, Bruny Island

This morning started with lots of rain, defying the forecast of sunny skies and making the journey here somewhat in the unknown. But lo and behold – the clouds gave way for blue sky and sunlight, making this capture possible, capturing the immense beauty of this stretch of Bruny Island. I was in luck to […]

Taylor’s Beach, Break O’Day

A very brief, but stunning part of sunset on a beach I visited many times during my stay here. Every hour of the day provided a uniquely beautiful experience, and particularly so with the presence of only nature and wildlife, as this was autumn and the low season for visitors.

Taylor’s Beach, Break O’Day

This is such a beautiful beach I’m sure is pretty crowded in summer, but this is autumn and this couple were the only other humans I encountered here during my several visits during my time here.

Russell Falls, Mount Field

This was perhaps the most “crowded” of all the waterfalls I visited during my trip to New Zealand And Tasmania this autumn, and I can only imagine how crowded this place would be during the high season. During my visit it was all nature and only the occasional visitor. I even saw a sleeping wallaby […]

Russell Falls, Mount Field

This was perhaps the most “crowded” of all the waterfalls I visited during my trip to New Zealand And Tasmania this autumn, and I can only imagine how crowded this place would be during the high season. During my visit it was all nature and only the occasional visitor. I even saw a sleeping wallaby […]

Purakaunui Falls, Otago

A beautiful waterfall I had almost to myself. As I visited in the autumn there were very few visitors around and that made the place that much more amazing. Elevation: 75 meters

The Wanaka Tree, Lake Wanaka

Perhaps the most famous tree in the world, in an ever changing environment. This time it was extremely windy and cold, and not at all pleasant, but visually it was amazing as the sky was filled with dramatic clouds in layers, each moving in a different pace and direction. Elevation: 282 meters

Owharoa Falls, Waikino

This is a hidden gem that’s easily missed and not visited by many compared to other waterfalls in New Zealand. The river turns 90 degrees here, and has a short run before it flows into the bigger Ohinemuri River running alongside Highway 2.

Whangarei Falls, Northland

For a brief few seconds these two kids chose to stand in front of the waterfall, providing an excellent scale of this magnificent place.

Hot air balloon in Namibia

What better way to experience a sunrise than in the air – silently flowing on the invisible layers of moving air, soon to be heated up by the sun. As the sun rises, the air becomes turbulent and a trip much less pleasant and unpredictable. Elevation: 719 meters

Lone tree in sunset, Namibia

A single tree has survived years of heat, drought and very occasional rain. Elevation: 993 meters

Lone tree, Namibia

A single tree has not only survived years of heat, drought and very occasional rain, but thrived to become a mature giant. Elevation: 620 meters

The Deadvlei tree

Prior to my visit unseasonal rains had turned trees, shrubs and plants green and in bloom, but the water was long gone from this particular and iconic clay pan. I was told that all of this was under water for many days and looked otherworldly, as the otherwise dry ground had become a mirror of […]

Tyrshi Falls, Meghalaya

Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India There are countless small and large waterfalls in Meghalaya. Some stunning beyond description and impossible to miss, except when the clouds kiss the ground. Which happens very often. Others are small and inconspicuous, even hard to see, like this one in Jaintia Hills, which is at first a mellow stream which […]

A waterfall in Lumwahnai, Meghalaya

There are so many waterfalls in Meghalaya that I wondered if mega refers to numbers of rapids and waterfalls. Only the largest and most accessible waterfalls are known and visited by tourists, but there are so many waterfalls with no names and utterly unknown except to the locals. This particular waterfall got my attention in […]

Dzukou Valley, Nagaland & Manipur

A true valley of flowers! From afar the valley looks like a green carpet, but as you come closer you notice more and more color hues. When you finally reach the valley floor you will see an incredible density of plants and an amazing diversity of species – each blooming at a different time of […]

Dzukou Valley, Nagaland & Manipur

When you first get a glimpse of Dzukou valley you are mesmerized, as it is so different from all the valleys, hills and mountains surrounding it. It is a verdant treasure box. However, it is not until you go all the way to the valley floor that the floral diversity unfolds, as on the surrounding […]

Lord Howe Island sunset

9 out of 10 evenings during my stay on Lord Howe Island I walked the Little Island Track along the beach to the outcrop called Little Island. At first to experience the sunsets, but after just one sunset I was completely hooked. Hooked on experiencing the large numbers of seabirds. I visited in April, the […]

Principe creek

Minutes ago this water came off the edge of a high cliff as one of several impressive waterfalls on the small island of Principe. Think of miniature versions of Salto Angel (Angel Falls)! As with most of Principe the mountain tops are densely forested and during the rainy season plenty of rainfall replenishes the streams, […]