A very active individual, singing out to the world that he’s strong, healthy and the leader of this land for his species. Often you’ll hear this species singing from the thickets, barely visible, but this one was out in the sunshine for all to see. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2210 meters
In what seemed like a quite morning with little wildlife in Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, I almost passed by a large group of Himalayan tahrs grazing near the road in a difficult stretch of the road. I was happy to see it was not just a couple of individuals, but a sizeable group spread way […]
My goal was to get a glimpse of this high altitude species, and on my first morning I did see a lone adult male quite near in. I did get a decent image and was content with that as a first encounter. Then one morning I came across a group grazing in the early morning […]
Saari Village, Uttarakhand, India In flight this tail is all fun, but when perched it can be somewhat cumbersome after landing, as it comes on the way of branches, as seen here. Every such entanglement takes a toll on the feathers, and it is all up to the bird to constantly tend to it by […]
A beautiful high-elevation dweller, seen here around the Tungnath temple during the full moon of April 2018. The winters are harsh here, but on the last day of April the landscape is full of alpine flowers and warm sunshine. It blends well in the landscape and is hard to spot when still on the ground. […]
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. Even though this was the first day (the full moon of April) people were back after a long winter, they were not that disturbed by human presence, […]
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 survey the area. Even though this was the first day (the full moon of April) people were back after a long winter, they were not […]
As the day is nearing its end, this individual is resting atop this tree stub as it’s possibly well fed for the day. If not disturbed it might stay overnight. This species is commonly seen and heard throughout India and Eurasia. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2718 meters
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 unique flora and fauna. The landscape is dramatic and in many of the steepest slopes there are deep scars from past monsoons. Some places it seemed something […]
Encountering this koklass pheasant peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a sound of human activity in the air. Just nature and the sounds, sights and scents of an early spring morning. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2562 meters
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 sign they are not disturbed by humans up here in Kedarnath Reserve National Park. During morning and late evening you’ll hear the calls of […]
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 happily eat handouts of rice and other tidbits from visitors and residents alike. This one is shot in Kedarnath Reserve National Park, and is in wild and […]