Welcome to the desert, part two

Although you´d expect the driest desert on earth to be fairly inhospitable (at least, insects and snakes believe this, and did not show themselves to me during the week in the desert. I´m cool with that) there is some really interesting diversity in the wildlife and plantlife front. 

Three species of flamingoes live in the Salar de Atacama (the salt flats): the Jame's, the Andean, and the Chilean. The Chilean flamingo does an adorable moon walk while it's eating its microorganisms (no shrimp, of course) from the salty waters. 

Los Flamencos National Reserve

Vicuña herd, cousin to the camel

Andean fox, primary predator

We also saw llamas, birds, and an adorable little viscacha (part of the chincilla family) which moves about like a wallaby. 

We were also on the lookout for llatera (not to be confused with llaterá), a funky plant that grows only in the desert. I never did see the bright green blob I was was looking for, but I did see lots of bushes and grassy patches, admired the local use cardón (cactus wood) of and ate ice cream made from the fruit of a chañar tree. 

Forest in the desert.
Those roots dig deep.

Cactus wood has been used
to make items for everday use,
and also in construction of
houses and churches

Cachiyuyo
Tastes like salty clover

Rica Rica
used for headaches
and stomach nausea

I think I did see llatera after all.
It definitely wasn´t the bright green desert blob
I was looking for.