Well well, on we go! Close to the sea and mountain ranges, one wouldn't believe it, there's a real possibility for floods (like this unbelievable footage shows [the drivers a bit later in the video very likely ignored those signs]; that happened during cat 5 Hurricane Gonu), even if there isn't anything but desert near and far. Uh, and if you get the possibility to sit somewhere in the desert and watch the sunset, the sountrack of you choice is provided by the absolute amazing Anouar Brahem Trio. I likely mentioned it about 3 times the last years, minimum, but it's really that great, you just need to take the time and a quiet place. So.. let's start with a sunset and some sunspots -- and no, that part of the sensor was quite clean ;-)
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On the bottom right: Fast and highly unexpected. During clicking the (at that moment alive) gecko, suddenly, out of nowhere, the snake darted towards it, poisoned and constricted it, and then tried to find a place in shadow to have lunch.
Those are animals of two very rare species in Oman (and likely the highlights of the trip), the lizard Omanosaura cyanura (funny name for that little fart) and the viper Pseudocerastes persicus:
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Sometimes it's unbelievable how exposed some agamas and geckos are basking during the hottest hours of the day. And they are really sitting or standing exactly like this. Not glued or nailed there, just sitting on the top of the highest stone... or bush if there's no stone.
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A short glimpse into the mountains. Left the hanging gardens underneath the Saiq plateau. I think the vertikal extent is about 1km (!). On the right -- no description required ;-) Bottom left -- the arabic version of the night active cat snake. And canyons are always worth a visit!
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Also counted as a highlight, even though quite abundant, the Saw-scaled vipers of the genus Echis, left Echis carinatus sochureki (named after an austrian), right Echis khosatzkii. Both of them are as they look, quite venomous.
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And finally -- a speciality likely to obtain only in As Seeb, Oman: Fresh Shoes! Oh and yes, there are also some other local funny animals. Like Camel spiders, which aren't actually spiders and also not venomous.
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Cheerio!
Uh, and as far as I've been listening to it all evening, another music tipp: Bat for Lashes!