Photos from the UAE and Oman, June 2013

[moloch]

In early June, I spent four nights in the UAE. I split these with two nights at Al Ain followed by the two nights in Oman and then two nights back in the UAE at Fujairah. Here is a map that shows the areas that I visited in the UAE:

A: Al Ain area
B: Fujairah area
C: near Al Malaiha
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/UAEmap_zps4483e136.jpg

I stayed at the Mercure Hotel which is located at the summit of a mountain called Jebel Hafeet a little south of Al Ain. Wow, this was such a dry place with hardly any plants.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Jebel_Haleef1_zpsf4b84b7f.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/JebelHafeet4_zpsdeacd2b9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/JebelHafeet3_zpsecf00bf4.jpg

The hotel was a real oasis at the top of the mountain. The water and vegetation attracted a number of birds and butterflies. Mercure on top of Jebel Hafeet near Al Ain. I "roughed it" here for two nights. The hotel had a huge atrium that included several open sided tents with the low Arab furniture. At night, groups of white-robed Arabs would sit there and sip their sweet teas or coffees while chatting. Arabic music played softly in the background. It really was wonderful experience.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/MecureJebelHaleef1_zpsd47b68f3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/MecureJebelHaleef2_zps42fc0618.jpg

Egyptian Vultures were fairly numerous over Jebel Hafeet. I think that they are one of the nicest looking of the old world vultures.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/EgyptianVulture1_zps7b983db7.jpg


The main reason that I visited Al Ain was to explore the extensive dunes near the city. On my first trip to the UAE and Oman, I could not find good access to sand so I did more research before this trip.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat_al_ain1_zpsdf5c0b74.jpg

[moloch]

While exploring one morning, I found this Camel "farm" in the dunes.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/CamelFarm1_zps6c6d328d.jpg

Road hazzard signs like this were a frequent sight in the UAE and Oman
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/CamelRoadHazzard_zps0d23ead5.jpg


Green Mubazzarah. This was about the only large green place near Al Ain. It was a park that was heavily irrigated. It was lovely and popular with the locals, especially late in the day. It also was a top place for birds. I saw butterflies such as Lime Swallowtails and Caper Whites but was not able to take any pics here.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/GreenMubazzarah_zps3bfe484b.jpg

I thought that this was an interesting mosque in the countryside near Al Ain.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/mosque1_zps76e3c271.jpg


Habitat near Al Malaiha. I explored this area while staying at Fujairah. I walked the dunes at night with hopes of finding a Sindh Saw-scaled Viper or an Arabian Horned Viper. I did find a road-killed Arabian Horned Viper but unfortunately no live individuals of either species. Oh well ... next time.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat45minswestFujairah4_zpsacc7041c.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat45minswestFujairah3_zps5606631f.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat45minswestFujairah7_zpsad68c5df.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat45minswestFujairah6_zpsf064fc35.jpg

[moloch]

Caper Whites (Belenois aurota) were probably the most abundant butterfly at the moment. I saw many of these. They were always skittish and only paused for a second or two at a flower.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/CaperWhite1_zps230c7e65.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/CaperWhite2_zps4d47ae36.jpg

I think that this is a Salmon Arab (Colotis fausta). I saw them a few times near the top of Jebel Hafeet.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/pierid1_zps51b76310.jpg

Only found this single Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochylus), an nicely marked little blue.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Blue1_zpsfc99183d.jpg

Blue Pansy (or Argus) (Junonia orithya). Several of these patrolled a garden at
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/BlueArgus1_zps790b3cae.jpg

I saw several Giant Skippers (Coeliades anchises) in the gardens of the Mecure.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/GiantSkippercoeliadesanchises_zps174a5228.jpg

Tenebrionid Beetles. These elevated their abdomens and released a foul smelling gas when disturbed. Much like those that I used to see in the dry areas of California long ago.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Tenebrionid1_zps0ad7c89f.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Tenebrionid2_zps93b3e795.jpg

[moloch]

White-spotted Fringe-toed Lizard (Acanthodactylus schmidti). Habitat and lizards. These White-spotted Fringe-toed Lizards (Acanthodactylus schmidti) also lived on the dunes. To me, they looked a little like a cross between the North American Uma and Aspidoscelis in form and behaviour.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/habitat_al_ain2_zps3ce4d8f4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/White-spottedLizardAcanthodactylusschmidtiAlAin1_zpsf3a9 ce33.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/White-spottedLizardAcanthodactylusschmidtiAlAin2_zps61b1 7664.jpg

Spotted (or Arabian?) Toad-headed Agamas (Phrynocephalus maculatus). Habitat and lizards. These lizards were abundant on the dunes. I am not certain whether these were Spotted Toad-headed Agamas (Phrynocephalus maculatus) or Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus). I think that I might have photos of both species that overlap in distribution.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/SpottedToad-headedAgamaPhrynocephalusmaculatusAlAinhabitat1_zp sf4db7b8a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/SpottedToad-headedAgamaPhrynocephalusmaculatusAlAin1_zps852835 63.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/SpottedToad-headedAgamaPhrynocephalusmaculatus_zps8a9bf948.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/SpottedToad-headedAgamaPhrynocephalusmaculatusAlAin6_zpsffb088 e9.jpg

[moloch]

Sinai Agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus). Habitat and lizard
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/dragon_habitat_jebel_haleef_zps3a99efc1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/dragon1_zps81e1f1fe.jpg

Eastern Sandfish (Scincus mitranus), habitat and lizards. These were one of my favourite lizards on the trip. I found them on my first morning as I drove from Dubai to Al Ain. I reached dunes northwest of Al Ain at about 7:30am. It was hot already but not overly oppressive. I stopped and walked the dunes to see if any reptiles were active. I soon found these incredible Eastern Sand Skinks (Scincus mitranus). With the sun to my back, these skinks were conspicuous since their bodies glistened silver or gold in the early morning sun. These skinks are well named. They cruise along the surface of the sand with sometimes only the top of their heads and backs exposed. When frightened, the make a big "splash" and vanish instantly beneath the surface of the sand. The sand was extremely fine in texture and felt almost like powder.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Sandfishhabitat1_zps40a4c3e7.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Sandfish1_zpse2dd9cc4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/Scincusmitranus_zps167b6f01.jpg

[moloch]

Arabian Dune Geckos (Stenodactylus arabicus). Night walks on the dunes were very interesting. I found large numbers of these beautiful Arabian Sand Geckos (Stenodactylus arabicus) with webbed feet
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianDuneGeckoStenodactylusarabicusfujairah1_zps 0b848f01.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianDuneGeckos2_zpse3037656.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianDuneGeckoStenodactylusarabicus10_zps481a7e2 c.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianDuneGeckoStenodactylusarabicus1_zps58eff2c4 .jpg

I found several Dune Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus doriae).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/DuneSandGeckoStenodactylusdoriaeFujairah1_zps4a992 e18.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/DuneSandGeckoStenodactylusdoriae2_zpsecf118f9.jpg


Arabian Sand Boa (Eryxj ayakari). This was one of the most exciting finds of the trip. It was on the surface around 9pm. When found it was slowly crawling along but after I flashed my light on it, it continously tried to dive beneath the surface. The lower jaw was reset for its sand burrowing life. I suppose that it must partially bury itself but leave its eyes above the surface. The seem so odd on top of the flat head. It was a gentle little snake and never attempted to bite.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianSandBoaEryxjayakari1_zpsea7df8a0.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/ArabianSandBoaEryxjayakari_zps02054d4d.jpg

[moloch]

Gerbil in the dunes:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/CheesemansgerbilGerbilluscheesmani_zps32c7851c.jpg


Birds of the sand and rocky areas including Arabian Babbler, White-eared Bulbul, Hoopoe Lark and Indian Roller
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/birds2b_zps8c39ad6c.jpg

Birds at the Green Mubazzarh including Hoopoe, Chukar and Red-wattled Lapwing
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/UAE/JUN2013/birds2a_zps6128bc95.jpg



... I will post photos from Oman next.

[Angiud]

Great great report of a wonderful "desert" area. Beautiful Skipper, amazing desert and interesting reptiles, like the "swimming" Skink. Extreme environment.

[Glorious Begum]

Nice set again David. Thank for sharing it. :cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks, Antonio and LC.


I visited Oman for two nights on this trip. Once again, I returned to the Hajar Mountains in the north of the country.

Map that shows the sites that I visited.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Omanmap_zps1548d988.jpg


I stayed in Bahla. This is a view of the town from the Jibreen Hotel where I stay. It was hot on this visit with temps up to 43C.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Bahlaarea3_zps40cd1ccb.jpg


Bahla is near the road that heads up Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams. I spent my first afternoon high up on Jebel Akhdar where the temps were much cooler. Most of the geckos in the following photos were photographed here.
June 2013
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Bahlaarea1a_zpsa78a6e6d.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Bahlaarea2_zps7da44b99.jpg

[moloch]

I also drove up the Jebel Shams Road on my second day. Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in Oman and is a little more than 3000m in elevation. I did not quite go far enough to see the Grand Canyon of Oman but I hope to do so in October when I will visit the area again.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/JebelShamsroad1_zpsd07bcabf.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/JebelShamsroad5_zps33208fbc.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/JebelShamsroad3_zps63c89daa.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/JebelShamsroad4_zpsa3a1564a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Omanivillage1_zps396f8ca5.jpg

These are old ruins along a wadi on the road up Jebel Shams. This area has obviously been settled for many centuries. It seems so harsh with mostly sheets of rock on the mountain in the background. The wadi had flowing water so was probably used through the ages for irrigation.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/JebelShamsroad2_zps2a5a885d.jpg


Old Fort:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/fort_zps0a14ebb1.jpg

[moloch]

I think that this is a Round-winged Orange Tip (Colotis evippe). These were common but they rarely stopped long enough for photos. Habitat and butterfly:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/BosksFringe-toedLizardAcanthodactylusboskianushabitat_zps002c3 410.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/scarlet-tip1_zps498cac29.jpg


This is what I think to be a Desert Orange Tip (Colotis liagore). I took these shots last Feb near the town of Sur.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/firetip1_zps4d493023.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/firetip2_zps0fc3dbe1.jpg

Blue-spotted Arab (Colotis phisidia). These photos were taken in Feb 2013. I've added these just to show the variation in the genus. Colotis seems to be numerous on the Arabian Peninsula.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/unknown1_zps36a03d26.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/unknown2_zps7801f5d1.jpg


Yellow Pansy (Precis hierta). Too bad that this butterfly would not open its wings. It was a beauty with mainly yellow upper wings with patches of blue. I only found two and both were along a small stream high up on Jebel Shams.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/LemonPansy_zps713bc0c2.jpg

[moloch]

Hereafter are non-butterfly shots. The desert is not an ideal place to find and photo many butterflies but it is excellent for reptiles.

Sinai Agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus): This stunning lizard was high up on Jebel Shams. It was shy and hard to approach for photos.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/SinaiAgamaPseudotrapelussinaitus1_zpsbf938ad0.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/SinaiAgamaPseudotrapelussinaituscollage_zpscb60a2a b.jpg

Desert Racerunner (Mesalina adramitana). I only found one of these lacertids.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/DesertRace-runnerHadramutSandLizardMesalinaadramitana1_zps53b 5e011.jpg

Bosk's Fringe-toed Lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus): This species was numerous in a wadi on the outskirts of Bahla.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/BosksFringe-toedLizardAcanthodactylusboskianus_zps47604228.jpg

Baluch Ground Gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus). These speedy geckos were common in a reserve not far from Sur in Feb.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/BaluchGroundGeckoBunopustuberculatuscollage_zps8f2 71744.jpg

Banded Ground Gecko (Bunopus spatalurus). Fairly common high up on Jebel Akhdar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/BandedGroundGeckoBunopusspatalurus3_zps6d1889cf.jp g
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/BandedGroundGeckoBunopusspataluruscollage_zps34ecf 6e4.jpg

[moloch]

Hasselquist's Fan-Footed Gecko (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii). I love the feet of these geckos. These were big geckos that usually raced into crevices when they saw my lights.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/HasselquistsFan-FootedPtyodactylushasselquistii4_zpsb0bcbece.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/HasselquistsFan-FootedPtyodactylushasselquistii5_zps02c0993b.jpg


Asaccus platyrhynchus. These are big and beautiful geckos. I returned to a cave that I found in Feb and again saw numbers of these. Males have yellow tail tips whereas the females have white tail tips.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/Asaccusplatyrhynchus1b_zps9c5714f9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/Asaccusplatyrhynchus_zpsb8cf498c.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Asaccusplatyrhynchus3female_zps95a855f6.jpg

Gallagher's Leaf-toed Gecko (Asaccus gallagheri). This species was similar in colour and pattern to A. platyrhynchus but was much smaller in size. Like its larger relative, males had yellow tails and females had white tails.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/GallaghersLeaf-ToedGeckoAsaccusgallagheri1_zps55a1480f.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/GallaghersLeaf-ToedGeckoAsaccusgallaghericollage_zpsf940e208.jpg

[moloch]

Eastern Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus leptocosymbote). These were common in a nature reserve near Sur in Feb.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/GulfSandGeckoStenodactyluskhobarensis1_zps7b733608 .jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/EasternSandGeckoStenodactylusleptocosymbotecollage _zpsdba0a860.jpg


Hemidacylus sp.: habitat and geckos. These were confusing animals with a number of similar species.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman%20Feb%202013/aloes_zps6315cb68.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Hemidactylus_1000_zpsad05dd27.jpg


Rock Semaphore Gecko (Pristurus rupestris): Habitat and geckos. These beautiful little day geckos were common high up on Jebel Akhdar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/RockSemaphoreGeckoPristurusrupestris1_zps7b771429. jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/RockSemaphoreGeckoPristurusrupestriscollage_zps1d8 17380.jpg

Wadi Racer (Platyceps rhodorachis). This fast snake was active at dusk at the mouth of a wadi.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/WadiRacerPlatycepsrhodorachis_collage_zps8e82919d. jpg

[moloch]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/OmanSaw-ScaledViperEchisomanensis2_zps1adb4113.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/collages/OmanSaw-ScaledViperEchisomanensiscollage_zps1c021951.jpg


Solifugid. This was the largerst solifugid that I have ever seen. It was fast and hard to photograph.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Oman/June2013/Solpugid1_zpse801d8ac.jpg

[Angiud]

Wow very good hunt!

[bluefin]

Another great travelogue series from you David and some amazing pictures.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

:cheers:

[Painted Jezebel]

Amazing, as always. I love the Sinai Lizard.

I have a bit of a problem with the Colotis liagore. All photos of this species I have seen show the apical area more orange than red, and lacking the black band which divides it from the white basal area.

Colotis is a huge African/Arabian genus, with many species with a red/orange apical area. Very difficult. I am more acquainted with sub-saharan species and also C. evagore which can be found in a small area of the far south of Spain.

[moloch]

Thanks, guys.

Les, I looked back at the site where I found the C. liagore photo and I can see that you are correct. I think that your original suggestion of it resembling a Colotis danae would be more likely. I searched again and can see records and photos of C. danae from Oman. They are variable in appearance (assuming that the butterflies in the photos have been accurately identified).

Regards,
David