Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites…


Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites…


Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

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…


Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

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…


Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites…


Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites…


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.


Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

When not in bloom it looks just like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the…


Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)

When not in bloom it looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the slopes of…


Cactus nest on Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)

Cactus nest on Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)

For birds that have a need to build nests above ground, a desert has few options, so they learn to deal with the spines and use them to their advantage. It…