An Awesome Encounter with the Arabian Oryx in a Desert Resort in RAK

Huge and imposing out in the field

On guard! I came too close for comfort as it pose to charge

I have to keep my distance and step away when it assumed this defensive stance

Its those long pointed horns that truly got my attention

Free roaming as they should be.. did you see the unicorn passing by? 

I was on assignment at a very prestigious desert resort in Ras Al Khaimah when I had an awesome face to face encounter with a troop of huge and quite imposing free roaming Arabian Oryx. I was walking towards a building in the resort when a pair passed and paused in front of me. The curious cat in me cannot resist, I move away from the building corridor and inched a little closer to the open garden area to have a closer look on the Oryx pair. It was when I was just a couple of meter away from one that it began to stomp its from feet, put on a defensive stance and move on to charge. Realizing that I was too close for comfort and having a clear sight of the long and pointed horns, I decided to move away and step into a row of metal barrier to avoid the charge of the Oryx. The charge was averted and the two of us kept our distance. I was still marveling at its form and grandeur. The Oryx still has its eye on me, maybe checking if I will have the guts to come near. I decided to continue my observation of the Arabian inspiration of the mythical unicorn from a safe distance. 

The Arabian Oryx, Oryx leucoryx.

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

  

 

Another Sinai Agama Encounter at the Wadi Shawkha, RAK

This Sinai Agama is busy with its morning sunbathing 

Perched steadily on a rock as it was fixing its gaze on me

As if curious about my presence, the Agama did not move away as I closely approach it

Perfectly camouflage in its rocky mountain perches

I was traversing a dried-up river passage way across the Hajjar Mountain trails at Wadi Shawkha, RAK, when I spotted just a couple of feet away from me, perched on a rock was a lizard with a bluish head. It seems surprised of my sudden appearance nearby its rocky hideaway. It was staring at me, not moving from its rock, I think it was studying me as well. It was trying to understand how I literally popped up in front of it. 

SINAI AGAMA or BLUE AGAMA, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus  

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

 

An Encounter with A Trio of Mynahs in Fujairah

A Trio of Mynahs using the railing of a fence as a stage

Singing as one to greet a truly lovely morning

Two facing the left, the middle bird facing the right

Keep on singing! Keep on enjoying the wonders of creation!

Like watching a trio performing on stage, I was fascinated gazing on three Indian Mynahs perched on the railing of a fence as they where happily chirping as they greet the early morning with their tunes. Moving their heads to the left and to the right in a seemingly synchronized manner it looks like that the birdie performers are enjoying their performance for one. I was truly thankful to be their audience.

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com  

 

 

An Encounter with Agamas at the Wadi Shawkha, RAK

An Agama basking in the morning sun 

Eyes front, looking straight into the camera

The rocky outcrops in the Wadi Showkha may look dry and desolate, somewhat devoid of life forms but the rugged terrain serves as the home of an amazing array of lizards. Among these are the Agamas. These Agamas with their camouflage perfectly blends with the landscape as they forage for insects. It was a truly awesome encounter to observed them up close as I was traversing a morning hike up the Wadi Showkha trail.  

Awesome creature! Awesome CREATOR!  

 

An Encounter with the Field Crickets in Al Ain

Resting at the palm of my hand

The field cricket did not even attempted to jump 

Up close and personal

I was on assignment for a facility inspection of a large greenhouse facility in Al Ain City, Emirate of Abu Dhabi when I stumbled upon a large field cricket that got itself inside the air circulation vent area. Its large size, shiny black head and thoraric armor immediately got my attention.  It was still alive, its antennae moving vigorously, slowly walking on the floor, I was able to carefully placed it in the palm of my hand as it was no longer able to make its escape jump. Its truly a treat to have a live insect in the palm of your hand, up close and personal (without the threat of being, pierced, stung or bitten of course)! 

Awesome creatures!  AWESOME CREATOR!

 

An Encounter with the Leptien's Spiny-Tailed Lizard in the desert of Al Ain City, Emirate of Abu Dhabi

A large spiny-tailed lizard moving across the desert sand

Big in size but very agile and fast on its feet 

Concealing itself with the available cover in the desert

Emanating from the tinged red to almost pinkish desert sand of Al Ain was a huge lizard which reminds me of a lumbering dinosaur during the Mesozoic era. It was truly an awesome encounter to spot this beautiful lizard in the sand. The spiny tail gives it the ferocious, almost menacing image but the round spike less head will lead you to change your mind and consider the non-venomous and harmless, Leptien's Spiny-Tailed Lizard.  

LEPTIEN'S SPINY-TAILED LIZARD, Uromastyx leptieni 

The Leptien's Spiny-Tailed Lizards, commonly called as dhub in Al Ain are an endemic reptile species in the UAE and Oman. These large lizards can grow up to 65cm long. They have a distinct tail surrounded by a circular rows of short spines. 

Dhubs can change their color from black to white to yellow as they bask in the heat of the desert sun. 

These reptiles are known to live in colonies in burrows on the gravel plains and in the compacted sand dunes. They are mainly vegetarians and are non venomous and harmless to humans.

It is important to note that these are endemic and protected wild life in the UAE. So when you encounter these dinosaur like sand dwellers, just let them be and be amazed by their agility and speed in the desert sand.  

Truly awesome desert creatures!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com    

 

An Encounter with Green Bee-eater Birds at the Maleha Desert Trails In Sharjah

Beautiful on flight with its green, yellow and blue plumage

Looking sharp and focus with its elongated and pointed beak

Its tough to spot this bird when its among branches and leaves

The rocky mountain background providing camouflage

 

Can you spot the two green birdies?

Pretty even with a black face mask, striking a pose perch up on a branch

The stillness of the early morning desert calm was broken by the joyous chirping of birds atop the dry, leafless branches of spiny acacia trees. I was truly enjoying the cool desert breeze, but even more, the beautiful chorus of these early birds atop their spiny trees sanctuaries combined with the rocky desert mountain background of the Maleha desert trail provided a splendid morning exploration. 

ARABIAN GREEN BEE-EATER BIRDS, Merops cyanophrys (AVES, MEROPIDAE)

Characterized by its black face mask, electric blue face and throat and overall body green plumage, the pretty Arabian Green Bee-Eater Bird is a endemic species of the Arabian peninsula found in gardens, wadis, and open areas in the desert atop the scattered vegetation. These birds are actively foraging on insects like moths, flies and bees.

 

Awesome creatures. Awesome CREATOR!      

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com