Favoritos de istvan7

Water chestnut

Leaves float - but in this case were stranded on wet mud. Leaves have a geometrical pattern of spreading out. Leaf base enlarged to provide flotation. Flowers white - about 2 cm diameter. Seed is a hard nut of about 2 cm wide with lateral spikes. The longest of these spikes are sharp and serrated.

'Sleeping beauty'

Resting in a depression on a large vine (lliana) along the trail. It is here for hours, until the rain poured.

Inasmuch as its venom is lethal, the viper is quite vulnerable in this passive state - can easily be picked up and killed by locals, especially for food in this region. In fact, this viper species, like the gaboon, is a popular animal protein source.
Being found behind, or beyond the cutline of the forest reserve determines survival - life, or death for the spectacular wildlife.