Category: Natural

Oman’s location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa give it a unique mix of flora and fauna – including Africa’s Baobab Tree and Europe’s White Storks

Frankincense in Dhofar

Frankincense is such an evocative word for many religious people, but few have a chance to visit the real Land of Frankincense in Dhofar. Its associated with religious ceremonies worldwide and of course with the gifts brought by the 3 Kings, or Wise Men, to Jesus.

Walking in Dhofar mountains near Frankincense in Dhofar trees
Walking in Dhofar mountains near Frankincense Trees

We flew down to Oman’s Continue reading “Frankincense in Dhofar”

Zodiacs onto Sir Bani Yas

The Zodiacs of the Clipper Odyssey (now renamed Silver Discoverer) ably lead by John Yersin came in handy to get us onto Sir bani Yas .

John and the Clipper Odyssey off Sir bani Yas
John and the Clipper Odyssey off Sir bani Yas

Once on the island I joined other Continue reading “Zodiacs onto Sir Bani Yas”

Salalah Time in Oman

We took a few days to visit Salalah to escape Muscat’s still sizzling 40c+ temperature for some صلالة تائيم  (Salalah Time)

Car in Salalah Mountains
Car in Salalah Mountains

where the sizzle turned into drizzle and Continue reading “Salalah Time in Oman”

Plants of Oman being conserved

Spread over a 420 hectare site the Oman Botanic Garden is under development with an opening still a few years away.

Botanic Garden Oman
Botanic Garden Oman

I paid a visit to learn about this ambitious project Continue reading “Plants of Oman being conserved”

Central Coast of Oman with Turtles & Gulls

The Central Coast of Oman is affected by the summer Monsoon and so as Muscat is now not only hot but also humid we took a few days to travel down the coast from Muscat.

Loggerhead Turtle Oman
Loggerhead Turtle Oman

Mid-summer in Oman is also Continue reading “Central Coast of Oman with Turtles & Gulls”

Egyptian Vultures on Masirah Island a talk by Ivaylo Angelov

One of the larger birds in Oman is the Egyptian Vultures. They are also very dramatic with the adults black and white plumage. The ESO is supporting Ivaylo Angelov in a survey of the birds on Masirah Island.

Ivaylo Angelov talking about Egyptian Vultures on Masirah Island
Ivaylo Angelov talking about Egyptian Vultures on Masirah Island

He explained Continue reading “Egyptian Vultures on Masirah Island a talk by Ivaylo Angelov”

Oman’s migratory Birds at Sultan Qaboos University

I attended a conference on ‘Oman as a Gravitational Centre in the Global Flyway Network of Migratory Shorebirds’ .

Jens talks about Eagle Migration
Jens talks about Eagle Migration

This highlighted Continue reading “Oman’s migratory Birds at Sultan Qaboos University”