Madagascar (S & SW)

Rice paddies near Ambalavao, Haute Matsiatra Region. Madagascar is the world’s 18th largest rice producer.

Long-distance travel in Madagascar is usually by camion-brousse, as seen here, except on the paved routes where the taxi-brousse is a viable option. Access is normally through the windows. Photographed in Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Women draw water from the village well, south of Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

A diver shows off the Atrina vexillum (pen shells) that he has collected for food. Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

The main village square of Lavanono, Androy Region. Goats and zebu (Madagascan cattle) are ever-present.

A centre for work but also for social interaction: the fishing boat ramp at Lavanono, on the southern cape of Madagascar, Androy Region.

Fishing boats off Lavanono, Androy Region. The distinctive “crab claw” sails are particularly associated with the Tandroy and Vezo peoples.

A small fishing boat at Anakao, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Children enjoy their home-made toboggans in Anakao, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. In the background is “spiny forest” with some elaborate tombs just visible.

Children play around boats at low tide in Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. In the distance, waves break on the offshore reef.

Salary, in the Atsimo-Andrefana Region, has gained a good reputation for its marine shells. But it is not an affluent town, even by Madagascan standards. The town's single shop sells almost nothing apart from home-brewed alcohol.

Zebu draw a cart of goods through the shallow water after off-loading a ship. Toliara (Tuléar), Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi), outside Salary, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Tenrecidae. Despite their similar appearance, tenrecs are not related to true hedgehogs.

Petter's sportive lemur (Lepilemur petteri), in the forest near Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Lepilemuridae.

Spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) in the spiny forest near Anakao, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Testudinidae.

An unidentified scorpion (Scorpiones sp.) near Miary, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Malagasy green lynx spider (Peucetia madagascariensis), outside Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Oxyopidae.

A particularly colourful ladybird (Cheilomenes sulphurea), near Fianarantsoa, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Coccinellidae.

Robber fly (Asilidae sp.) in the spiny forest outside Anakao, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Shield bug (perhaps Piezodorus lituratus), near Fianarantsoa, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Pentatomidae.

A nymph of the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), in Ambalavao, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Pentatomidae.

This planthopper (Dictyophara sp.) is very well camouflaged. Near Fianarantsoa, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Dictyopharidae.

Brush-footed butterflies (Acraea ranavalona), Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Nymphalidae.

African monarch (Danaus chrysippus), near Salary, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Nymphalidae.

Broad skimmer (Orthetrum azureum), near Fianarantsoa, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Libellulidae.

Slant-faced grasshopper (Acrida sp.), near Miary, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Even the eyes are elongated. Family Acrididae.

Gaudy grasshopper (Pyrgomorphidae sp.), outside Salary, Atsimo-Andrefana Region.

Ground mantis (Apterocorypha sp nov), near Ifaty-Mangily, Atsimo-Andrefana Region. Family Hoplocoryphidae. It may be an undescribed species.

Unidentified katydid nymph, Fianarantsoa, Haute Matsiatra Region. Family Tettigoniidae.

Simon finally returns to the UK (Humberside Airport) in 11/2022, a month after fracturing three thoracic vertebrae in a freak accident in Toliara. The Learjet 45 is configured to carry up to two patients.