Hanging from the moon - In this lunar landscape, a tree spreads its network of roots and branches across a wide area to catch the meager dew necessary for its survival. Yet another miracle! - Niger / Aïr / Piste d'Agamgam / 1992

Kids games - When his feet touch the ground, it will be time for the older child to become a man. Then the carefree days of childhood and adolescence will come to an end. - Niger / fountain of Tezirzek / 1992

Draw me a shadow - Shadow of life, shadow of death in the solitude of the desert. - Niger / Between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

Lone Tree, region of Adrar Bous - How did this tree grow roots here? How has it survived the winds, the hungry herds and the men looking for lumber? Maybe they let it live because it provides unexpected shade in return. - Niger / Ténéré / 2003

The pantry – or the best way to keep food out of animal reach.

Niger - The Tree of Tenere, a thorn acacia, today disappeared

Dunes in the region of Tagueït - Aïr / Niger

Dead tree at Tagueït - Aïr / Niger

Dune and single tree - In-Djaren / Tadrart / Algeria

Sand pyramid
This tree has to feel quite lonely in this mineral universe.
Algeria - Tadrart - In-Djaren - 1993

Well of the Ténéré tree
At the bottom of this 36 meters deep well, the water is of poor quality, but necessary for caravaneers. It is brought to the surface by muscle power or with the help of animals.
Niger - Tenere - 1967

The legends are only available in German, French or Spanish
Une zone très humide, appelée ceja de montaña, sépare la Cordillère des Andes de la forêt tropicale (Selva). . - Entre Tingo María et Pucallpa. - 1969

A weaverbird’s nest on the roadside on the way to Pucallpa in the Amazon rainforest. - 1969

The araucarias (Araucaria araucana) grow in the Andes on both sides of the border between Argentina and Chile. This tree reaches a height of 30 meters. - 1973

At the east end of Lago Fagnano in the region of Hostería Kaiken - Province of Santa Cruz - 1973

Ox cart at the Secundo Nazario Hacienda, Villa Aberastain - San Juan Province - 1973

In the monte, in the north of Santa Fe province, the locals beat the quebracho colourado. This is a tree about 25 metres high and with an average diameter of one and a half metres. The heartwood is rich in tannin, which is used in industry. - 1973

A lonely tree in a small oued near Wadi Mathendous ... and in between, the empty desert of Fezzan in southern Libya. - 1969

Characteristic Tibesti landscape in the surroundings of Zouar, a military post. In the background, the silhouette of Pic Botoum stands out against the sky. - Chad - 1967

At the small oasis of Chirfa, which lies on the road from Bilma to Djanet in Algeria or on the historic Bornu Road. It is a starting point for exploring the Djado plateau with the ruined city of the same name. To the east is the Enneri Blaka, a valley incision of the plateau. - Niger - 1968

Near the ruins of the residential castle or "Ksar" Djaba, we reach the overwhelming rocky landscape of Orida. Large witness mountains rise everywhere from the light sand. The rock pinnacles and towers, up to 400 metres high, rising steeply from the sand, make a grandiose impression. - Djado - Niger - 1968

Near the ruins of the residential castle or "Ksar" Djaba, we reach the overwhelming rocky landscape of Orida. Large witness mountains rise everywhere from the light sand. The rock pinnacles and towers, up to 400 metres high, rising steeply from the sand, make a grandiose impression. - Djado - Niger - 1975

During the winter of 1938/39, a shaft was dug near the "Arbre du Ténéré", it turned out that the tree had reached the water table at a depth of 33 to 36 metres. In 1939, the officer Michel Lesourd, stationed in French West Africa, wrote about the solitary tree: "One must have seen the tree to believe its existence. What is its secret? How can it still remain undeserted, despite the multitude of dromedaries near it? How come no camel eats its leaves and buds? Why don't the many Tuareg salt caravans cut its branches and use them as firewood for making tea? The only answer is that this tree is taboo and so respected by caravans." - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

At the Arbre du Ténéré there are two wells, one with bad water, possibly from a carcass that fell into it. The salt caravans use this place as a night camp. The nomads' campsite near the well is called Ad Azzaouagger. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

Témet is a dry valley in the Agadez region. The only water source in the valley, which often dries up in the dry season, is located in the upper part at Mont Gréboun. In rainy years, a diverse flora with a Mediterranean flavour can develop. - Témet - Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Tamchekett is a town in the Hodh El Gharbi region of south-central Mauritania. Temporary lakes form here during the rainy season. - Mauritania - 1969

In front of the Tabalak pond, Niger, the two Tuaregs on their camels form a striking contrast: one could better imagine them in the gorges of the Tassili. The trees are dead, although their roots are in the water. This is due to the fact that a pool is by definition temporary and can form after a rain that fell years after the last one. Combine this with the fact that when pasture becomes scarce, shepherds cut off all the branches that still have some leaves on them for the needs of their flock. The terrible drama in the Sahel has been made much worse by this custom. - Niger - 1970

In front of the Tabalak pond, Niger, these Tuaregs on their camels form a striking contrast: one could better imagine them in the gorges of the Tassili. The trees are dead, although their roots are in the water. This is due to the fact that a pool is by definition temporary and can form after a rain that fell years after the last one. Combine this with the fact that when pasture becomes scarce, shepherds cut off all the branches that still have some leaves on them for the needs of their flock. The terrible drama in the Sahel has been made much worse by this custom. - Niger - 1970

In Ekisman, there is again the long wait of the cattle, who have become dependent on man, who seeks the sparse water in the bowels of the earth. This waiting can be seen in the eyes of the animals, the atmosphere is oppressive, dusty, and the work of the herdsmen exhausting. Certainly, the drying up of the drinking trough is also related to the number of animals that quench their thirst at it, and there are also waterholes that dry up only during a few weeks before each rainy season, but you can count them on your fingers. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

Essendilène is a now uninhabited oasis in the Algerian Sahara and belongs to the Tassili Cultural Park, the largest of the Algerian national parks. The oasis is located in a gorge of the Tassili n'Ajjer, about a hundred kilometres northwest of Djanet. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

Essendilène is a now uninhabited oasis in the Algerian Sahara and belongs to the Tassili Cultural Park, the largest of the Algerian national parks. The oasis is located in a gorge of the Tassili n'Ajjer, about a hundred kilometres northwest of Djanet. In the foreground, a simple Touareg mosque.Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

On the way through the Wadi Taligit, which leads from Djanet to the high plateau of the Tassili. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

On the way in the Wadi Taligit, which leads from Djanet to the high plateau of the Tassili. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

Tin-Aboteka - Here too you will find shelters with magnificent rock art. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

In the Tin-Messeous area, there are many stone forests with shelters where rock paintings can be found. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

Landscape in the Tadrart, in the south-east of Algeria, in the region of El Beridij. Algeria - Tadrart - 1993

Pyramid of sand. How lonely this tree must feel in this mineral universe. Algeria - Tadrart - In-Djaren - 1993

Desert and tree in the Tisseteka region. Algeria - Tadrart - 1993

Where the roots of plants find the sparse water in the soil, life thrives in the desert. The valley of Tisseteka. Algeria - Tadrart - 1993

A young acacia tree has been able to develop in this inhospitable area around Mount Issoudad, between Djanet and the Tadrart. Algeria - Tadrart - 1993

In the region of Tagueït - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Landscape with tree, bushes and dune near Tagueït. See next photo. - Niger - 1992

The same acacia tree in the Oued Agamgam, seven years later - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Landscape in the Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1992

Camp Tafajrit - The dromedaries eat the greenery from the sparse trees - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Near Tideloukoumt in the Arakao region - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Landscape with tree and dunes in Arakao - Aïr - Niger - 1992

At the edge of the Ténéré, at the end of the Oued Arakao, there is a natural, circular mountain range: the Crab Clow. The caravan crosses this area, which is dotted with sand dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

In the camp at the Crab Claw at the end of the Oued Arakao - Aïr - Niger - 2000

When the vital water of a well dries up, only death remains - Aïr - Niger - 1992

The Adrar Bous is a 1123-metre-high mountain on the north-eastern edge of the Aïr high mountains in Niger. It is surrounded by the Ténéré desert and is part of the Aïr and Ténéré UNESCO World Heritage Nature Reserve. The mountain has an elliptical shape covering an area of 16 by 10 kilometres. The Adrar Bous is a refuge for Palaearctic migratory birds in the middle of the desert. Typical woody plants for the mountain are Acacia ehrenbergiana and Acacia raddiana (pictured). The isolated mountain was inhabited in the Neolithic period, as evidenced by sites with 10,000-year-old human remains. Arrowheads and tools have been found, as well as Sahara rock paintings, 9500-year-old pottery and a 6000-year-old cattle burial. - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Dunes at Temet - In the dry season, the Wadi Temet consists only of a scorching hot riverbed, at the edge of which a lone tree struggles to survive - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan travelling in the dry riverbed of the Wadi Temet - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Soon the camp of Tezirzek is reached - In the background the Tamgak massif - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The camp at the well of Tezirzek is reached - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Rock engraving from the horse epoch. Two figures (the one on the left is 0.70 metres high) are holding a creature together on a rope, which is indistinguishable but resembles a child! - Well of Tezirzek- Niger - Aïr - 1992

In the late afternoon, the Targis bring their dromedaries back from the pasture to the camp - Well of Tezirzek- Niger - Aïr - 2003

On the way home to the camp in the Oued Tiétak - Niger - Aïr - 1992

From the edge of the Erg Izane, we head towards the mountains of the Tamgak massif - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The dromedaries are freed from their burden - Tachaouit camp - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Evening atmosphere in the camp of Chanounou - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Camp on the edge of the Tamgak massif - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The path of the caravan leads into the Tamgak Mountains, which present themselves like an insurmountable wall - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The area changes from sand dunes to stony terrain - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. The western entrance to the gorge is around five kilometres from the village of Iférouane. Its eastern exit leads into the sand dunes of the Ténéré desert to the south-west of the Chiriet massif. Underground water flows to the surface at the side gorges, creating large pools of water, especially in the western part. The dry valley running through the gorge is the Tamgak, with the Toufouchi and the Zakkat as important tributaries. - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

In the valley of the Gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

An oued in the valley of the gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan follows an oued in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the gorge between the two parts of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Olive tree in Adrar Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Timia is a rural community in Niger. It is located approximately 150 kilometres north-east of Agadez in the middle of the desert area of the Aïr Mountains. The village is centred around a guelta oasis and is known for being one of the few places in the area with fruit trees. It is home to a seasonal waterfall, a French colonial fort and the ruins of the historic Tuareg village of Assodé. - Camp of Tuareg nomads in the Oued Timia - Niger - Aïr - 1992

Acacia raddiana (called Afagag in the Tuareg language) grows in dry areas and has many uses. The species is common in the driest areas along temporary watercourses on light, well-drained soils. Although the wood is not used industrially, it has many local uses, not least because of its importance for feeding animals and occasionally people (famines). In traditional medicine, Acacia raddiana is known to be a particularly effective wound-healing agent. The wood is a much sought-after fuel (firewood and charcoal) and a favorite material for handicrafts (mortars, bowls, etc.) - Camp Chemma - Niger - Aïr - Iberkom - 2001

This gnarled tree can be found by the wayside between the Guelta Enghar and the Toufouchi camp - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The well Tanet Mellet (= small beautiful well) at the camp of Bachar - Niger - Aïr - 2001

In the Irham camp near the Tanet Mellet well - Everything that must be out of reach of the goats is either hung up or stored on a rack - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Landscape at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Landscape at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - The goat herd is led to pasture - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Landscape at the camp in the area of the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - The goat herd is led to pasture - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dark-coloured tree is an acacia (called afagag in the Tuareg language), the light-coloured tree is a liana. Both often grow together in symbiosis - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dark-coloured tree is an acacia (called afagag in the Tuareg language), the light-coloured tree is a liana. Both often grow together in a symbiosis - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Gathering near the ruins of an old village near Agalal - Aïr - Niger - 2001

On the way back to Agadez - Encounter with a group of Targis near Agalal - Niger - Aïr - 2001

On the way back to Agadez - Tuareg tent by the wayside - The tree on the right is a Tamat, it is female. The male tree is called Abrok - Aïr - Niger - 2001

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