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…


Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

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…


Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

On my way down from an amazing sunrise near the Dochula Pass I encountered this gorgeous male kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) strolling leisurely with…


Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Although the Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) not a threatened species that does not mean it is either common to see, despite its amazing iridescent…


Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)

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…


Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

The number of plant species you see from the canopy towers of Cristalino Jungle Lodge is impressive. Unfortunately most are overlooked, as the visitors are…


Wild mango (Grias neuberthii)

Wild mango (Grias neuberthii)

I wonder what this wild mango (Grias neuberthii) fruit tastes like compared to the cultivated varieties. I for one am certain the fruit and the tree itself…


Wild mango (Grias neuberthii)

Wild mango (Grias neuberthii)

Wild mango (Grias neuberthii) has an incredibly fascinating flower - thick, waxy and extremely tough. This tree grows close to the creek on the grounds of the…