I’m going to start a short series for the holidays of “albums” with images I’ve shot of various types of animals and species that I’ve seen on my travels to Mongolia.
First up are the birds I saw on this latest trip in August 2011. If you see a mis-identified bird, please let me know. The field guide situation for Mongolian birds is still not what it needs to be.
Finally, we didn’t go hunting for any of these birds. They are what I saw as we drove around or walked in the reserves and parks. Mongolia is an extraordinary birding destination that deserves to be better known.
Daurian partridges, Hustai National ParkCrested lark, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature ReserveHoubara bustard, just outside the northern boundary of Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve (this may have been a rare sighting)Whooper swan, Gun-Galuut Nature ReserveDemoiselle cranes, coming into Erdenet soum; part of a large flockEurasian (or Common) cranes, somewhere near Hayrhan, Arkhangai AimagWhite-napped cranes, Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve (endangered)Grey wagtail, Tuul Gol, Jalman Meadows, Khan Khentii MountainsJapanese quail chick (?), Gun-Galuut Nature ReserveCommon magpie, east of Horgo Terhiyn Tsagaan Nuur National ParkDaurian jackdaw, Amarbayasgalant KhiidCinereous vultures, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature ReserveSteppe eagle, Jalman Meadows, Khan Khentii MountainsGolden eagle, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve
It’s clear that one lesson we, as a species MUST learn, is to share. All of these animals have just as much right to be here as we do. As they go, in the end, so shall we.
I’ve never made a point, for the most part, of specifically seeking out endangered or threatened species to photograph for my paintings. But, as it’s happened, in less than ten years I’ve seen two dozen, plus one, all in the wild. Quite a surprise, really.
Sometimes they’ve been pretty far away, but that in no way diminished the thrill of seeing them. Close-ups in a zoo or other captive animal facility can be useful, within certain limits, but seeing a wild animal in its own habitat, even at a distance, is much more satisfying and gives me ideas and information for my work that I couldn’t get any other way.
In no particular order, because they are all trying to survive on this planet:
Takhi, Hustai National Park, MongoliaMonk Seal, Kauai, Hawaii, United StatesWolf, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United StatesWhite-napped crane, Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, MongoliaWhite Rhino, Lewa Downs Conservancy, KenyaLaysan Albatross, Kauai, Hawaii, United StatesTule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United StatesRothschild's Giraffe, Soysambu Conservancy, KenyaNene, Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii, United StatesDesert Bighorn, Anza-Borrego State Park, California, United StatesGrizzly Bear, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States (Bear 264)Saker Falcon, near Hangai Mountains, MongoliaGreen Sea Turtle, Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii, United StatesGrevy's Zebra, Lewa Downs Conservancy, KenyaLammergeier, Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, MongoliaCalifornia Condor, Central Coast, California, United StatesAfrican Lion, Masai Mara, KenyaHawaiian Hawk (Juvenile), Volcano National Park, Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii, United StatesSiberian Marmot, Hustai National Park, MongoliaWhooper Swans, Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, MongoliaCheetahs, Masai Mara, KenyaApapane, Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii, United StatesTrumpeter Swans, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United StatesCinereous Vulture (Juvenile), Baga Gazriin Chuluu Nature Reserve, MongoliaArgali, Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve, Mongolia
Susan Fox, American Artist 