Quest for the Snow Leopard Part 3
I can say without reservation that this trip to Ladakh’s Hemis National Park was a great return to the Himalayas. I found the snow leopards extraordinarily difficult to photograph at close range. And yet with time and serendipity it is quite possible a snow leopard could walk directly through camp. Unfortunately, we experienced neither. We literally worked our butts off. I lost about 7 pounds in a week, hiking the trails every day at elevations between 12 and 14,000 feet. The dance ceremony was at the Likir Monastery, near Leh. Held annually, it commemorates the “letting go” of the previous year’s hardships. While at times disappointing, on a whole, the trip was fascinating and ultimately rewarding.
A female with two cubs- very nice! Glad you got to see them Art, but you’re absolutely right- getting close enough for great shots involves a lot of luck, or more persistence that most of us can or are willing to devote. Hopefully the cold wasn’t too bad. I see that you made it to Ulley for the ibex, I really enjoyed it there and would love to return, although they are just as shy as the snow leopards. Welcome back!
A female with two cubs- very nice! Glad you got to see them Art, but you’re absolutely right- getting close enough for great shots involves a lot of luck, or more persistence that most of us can or are willing to devote. Hopefully the cold wasn’t too bad. I see that you made it to Ulley for the ibex, I really enjoyed it there and would love to return, although they are just as shy as the snow leopards. Welcome back!
Sorry you didn’t get the snow leopard photo you wished for. I do love the photos of the Black Hat Dancers and musicians, of course!