The Eagle Hunter

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted July 12, 2015964 views7 comments

I only recently became aware of the POP gallery. I was looking through my older images and thought this might be a good photo to post. It was taken in western Mongolia several years ago when I was there assisting as a volunteer for a medical research project. I spent 5 days with this incredible family in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. Siliao (on the right with the Golden Eagle) is a champion hunter and is passing down his eagle hunting skills to his son Berik on the left. This was a fascinating cultural experience.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on July 12, 2015 at 9:27 PM

What a great photo and story, David. No doubt an amazing adventure not many will experience in their life time. The setting here is wonderful as a complete backdrop to this gathering of traditional and modern era type folks. Is that an old VW bus back there?.....looks like it fits in nicely from an era that has past by.......neat shot overall...... laugh

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on July 13, 2015 at 1:16 AM

Actually, it is a Russian vehicle. The Chinese pulled out of Mongolia sometime in the 1930's and were replaced by the Soviet Russians until the mid 1980's when the Russians pulled out. As a result, much of present day Mongolian infrastructure looks very Soviet Russian with the exception of the nomadic areas. Soviet Russian Vehicles and vodka remain. Western Mongolia is primarily Khazak and Muslum but unlike many Muslum cultures, they have a strong affinity for vodka. We were treated to vodka at 9:30 am one morning on a horseback ride into the mountains on the way to hunt foxes with Eagles.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on July 14, 2015 at 10:32 AM

Pretty cool image. I like the comp and it is a revealing photo of life in a harsh climate...................................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 16, 2015 at 5:57 PM

Cool image!!! Wonderful cultural photo and great sense of the place and people.

I went on a fishing trip with a guy who started drinking vodka around 9:30 in the morning and did not stop all day. He did not do any fishing. That was the first and only time he was on a trip with us. sad

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on July 18, 2015 at 5:59 PM

Cool image!!! Wonderful cultural photo and great sense of the place and people.

I heartily agree. Very nice image.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on July 26, 2015 at 8:08 PM

Hey David,
Too Cool,
Congratulations on the WP . . . devil

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on July 27, 2015 at 9:16 PM

Wow , that would be a dream trip .Great capture !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments