29 Apr 2018
Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)
Encountering this koklass pheasant peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a sound of human…
29 Apr 2018
Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)
The many species of pheasant found in the Himalayas is incredible, and seeing them up close on the road like this is exiting as it is surprising. Yet it is a…
29 Apr 2018
Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
The state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly seen bird that will come up close, and…
20 Apr 2018
Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
This is a common species, but nonetheless a beautiful one, especially when you can see it in the open like here, where it was foraging in the leaf litter and…
18 Apr 2017
Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)
On my way down from an amazing sunrise near the Dochula Pass I encountered this gorgeous male strolling leisurely with his mate which was blending in perfectly…
7 Apr 2017
Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
Although this is not a threatened species that does not mean it is either common to see, despite its amazing iridescent plumage, or easy to find. This…
7 Apr 2017
Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)
After a beautiful sunrise as we were ascending towards the pass we encountered the first of several blood pheasants here. I find both male and females really…
29 Nov 2012
Cleistocactus samaipatanus
Finding cacti on the sheer cliffs of Refugio Los Volcanes was a surprise to me! I saw their red flowers from afar, but assumed totally different species.
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)
When not in bloom it looks just like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the…
16 Nov 2012
Cardon cactus (Echinopsis tarijensis)
When not in bloom it looks like the white-flowering Echinopsis atacamensis, but this one is much rarer, and I found only one with flower here on the slopes of…