September 20, 2008: Socotra

xoxoxoBruce • Sep 20, 2008 2:42 am
Socotra Island, is where Dr Seuss spent his vacations, I think.

It's loaded with strange flora & fauna, a third of which are found nowhere else. A birder's paradise with 140 different species of birds; 10 of which are unique to the island. The Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow, Socotra Cormorants and cisticola are among the birds found here.

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I just know there's something evil living in those mountains. :eek:
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btw, there's also 40,000 people living in this UNESCO, World Natural Heritage Site.
Scriveyn • Sep 20, 2008 7:08 am
Nucular aircraft carriers in the Middle East - 'at's what's causin' it. :3_eyes:

And if you think that's scary, you should see their dolphins :p
Elspode • Sep 20, 2008 11:08 am
Yeah...they're sharks.
birdclaw • Sep 20, 2008 12:30 pm
Other than the nice pic with the mountains in the background it looks like pretty unforgiving territory. And that one tree doesn't look like a cucumber at all.
tombstone • Sep 20, 2008 1:19 pm
Any Anne McCaffrey fans out there? The Dragon's Blood Tree is the closest tree I've seen to Pern's "Sky Broom" trees. I'm thinking of the cover of "The Renegades of Pern". But they were a lot taller--sort of like our Sequoias.
Lurker • Sep 20, 2008 2:11 pm
Looks like a Boojum!
http://www.boojums.org/
Trilby • Sep 20, 2008 5:33 pm
Man, that's some wrecked shit there. I LOVE it!

Now I want a desert rose tree (bush? hedge?) in my yard.
skysidhe • Sep 20, 2008 7:33 pm
I know I've seen those names on bottles of perfume.

Dragons blood is a really nice scent btw.
Tree Fae • Sep 20, 2008 8:34 pm
The first one looks almost like a overgrown mushroom, they are all very neat. I would love to see them.
spudcon • Sep 20, 2008 8:53 pm
I'll bet we could get some great 2x4s from that cucumber tree. And the base of the desert rose would probably keep a fireplace burning all night.
narcuul • Sep 20, 2008 9:43 pm
Oh.. :3_eyes: There's yet one more to add to my list of places to see before I'm too senile to appreciate it..

So much to see. So.. not still making even a decent living. :headshake
onetrack • Sep 21, 2008 10:55 am
I love those mushroom-shaped trees. They look just like the scenery in my last LSD trip. If I'd only known of this place before, I could've saved thousands on drug purchases ..... :D
biorogue • Sep 23, 2008 3:57 pm
those trees are cool
wolf • Sep 24, 2008 1:47 am
Is that island technically downwind of Bikini Atoll? That could expain a lot.
ZenGum • Sep 24, 2008 2:40 am
spudcon;485615 wrote:
I'll bet we could get some great 2x4s from that cucumber tree. And the base of the desert rose would probably keep a fireplace burning all night.


I know you're stirring, but ... C'm'ere!!!!


:spank:
spudcon • Sep 24, 2008 6:32 am
Sorry, but couldn't find a recipe for those trees.
Treasenuak • Sep 24, 2008 2:39 pm
Well, the cucumber tree works well in a light vinagrette...
xoxoxoBruce • Sep 24, 2008 11:50 pm
Actually, those trees are biologically related to cukes.
spudcon • Sep 25, 2008 7:36 am
xoxoxoBruce;486742 wrote:
Actually, those trees are biologically related to cukes.

So is bacon.
xoxoxoBruce • Sep 25, 2008 9:33 am
You're thinking of eggs. :D
Treasenuak • Sep 25, 2008 12:26 pm
okay, after the massive drinking party last night, and the hangover I've got this morning, y'all are making me nauseated... :P