Grey treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)

Grey treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)

In flight the tail of the grey treepie (Dendrocitta formosae) tail is all fun, but when perched it can be somewhat cumbersome after landing, as it comes on the…


Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis)

Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis)

Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis) is a beautiful high-elevation dweller, seen here around the Tungnath temple during the full moon of April…


Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

This little cutie was in full swing eating the delicious primula flowers and other species now in bloom, but I just missed it having a mountful of flowers.…


Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

This little cutie was in full swing eating the delicious primula flowers and other species now in bloom, and here it had a very short break on an outcrop to…


Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)

Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)

As the day is nearing its end, this oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis) is resting atop this tree stub as it's possibly well fed for the day. If not…


Grey bush chat (Saxicola ferreus)

Grey bush chat (Saxicola ferreus)

During my stay in Chopta I encountered an amazing array of animal species in biomes ranging from alpine to dense forest slopes and valleys and farms. Each with…


Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Encountering this koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a…


Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

A koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) leisurly crossing the road. The many species of pheasant found in the Himalayas is incredible, and seeing them up…


Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is the state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly…


Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)

Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)

An oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) quenching its thirst. In the dry season water is critical, and if you provide access to water on your property…