I am currently in Borneo getting ready to start guiding an expedition in a few days, and just finished editing the images from my second China expedition for Natural Habitat. It was one of the best trips yet, and as always, had many fantastic, unique highlights. For me, our list of rare mammals that we spot in an unknown nature reserve in the Min Mountains. Here are images of some of the most difficult to see animals on earth, and also some captures of the stunning landscape and people of this special region.
This is all time favorite image of an enormous bull golden takin. These massive beasts are so powerfully built, but also incredibly agile, as they navigate the steep, rocky slopes of the rugged reserve.
We were treated by another beautiful golden-colored mammal sighting when this yellow throated marten bounded across the path. I have seen these impressive mustelids several times, and am always stunned by their size and speed. Even larger than a fisher, these predators travel in small packs of two or three, which is very rare in the weasel family. They are formidable hunters and can take down large pheasants and small deer.
This image is not great quality, but it shows a wild leopard cat that we encountered on a night walk near our lodge. I had been searching for these elusive cats for a long time and I am so thrilled that we saw one!
A large dominant male Tibetan macaque approaches us and stands guard as his troop of around 30 crosses a ravine in front of us.
This is a chinese goral, which are like mountain goats. They are, like takin, members of the bovid sub-family caprinae, or the goat antelopes. Unlike the takin, which travel in herds, these guys are solitary and defend a range, rather than migrate seasonally.
two goral on a high cliff.
Goral on a cliff side licking the rocks for minerals
This takin is a mix of the grey Sichuan subspecies, and the golden subspecies. The side profile shows the huge rounded nose, which may help to warm air before it enters the body core at the cold temperatures of its high elevation habitat. Biologist George Schaller likened them to “bee-stung moose.”
Baima Tibetan woman in the foothills of the Minshan Mountains near Pigwu. The typical hat shows a rooster feather, because a legend tells of a rooster waking up the soldiers before they were attacked by an enemy.
This masks keeps away evil spirits in the Baima Village.
As we visited a Baima village we noticed the symbol for their ethnic minority, the rooster on every rooftop.
A family of domestic yaks with snow capped peaks in the background at a 12,000 ft Mountain Pass.
yak in the high country.
Aba Tibetan woman having fun.
yak in the high country.
Chinese red birch with travertine pools in the background at a little known park high in the mountains.
A soon to be married girl gets ready for a wedding photo shoot at a scenic mountain park.
wild azaleas and turquoise water.
The geology we see in Juizjaighou is stunning and surreal. High calcium carbonate content in the water precipitates when it contacts air, and builds rock with water flow, rather than erodes it.
Wanda Mortimer learns how to take slow exposure motion blur images at the most enchanting waterfall I have ever seen. Arrow Bamboo Falls.
We always enjoy the stunning red-billed leothrix, a beautiful bird that is common in Sichuan.
Red panda, chengdu panda base
There is no place on earth to enjoy, photograph and learn about pandas like the panda bases of Sichuan.
panda up close, enjoying a giant bamboo shoot.
I just let the pictures tell the story about these amazing trips through Sichuan Province. Also called “the kingdom of heaven,” Sichuan is an assault to the senses with its exotic food, rare wildlife, and colorful cultures. This magic country never lets me down, and never ceases to amaze me. Thank you again Sichuan!
4 Comments
These images looks AMAZING!
Amazing place to be……..!!!!
Fabulous pics and great trip !
What a great trip this was! Thank you for sharing the pics and memories.