p.1 #1 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
I was in Spiti Valley, India and returned a few days ago. This year is very strange. There is no snow on the ground at all eventhough I was at around 4200-4500m elevation and -20c temp at night and in the morning and -10c in the afternoon.
Usually snow starts in November and by January, we should be at least in knee deep snow here. Very very strange. All the ski
resorts in the Himalaya range at lower altitude all shut down as there was no snow. Snow leopard sighting also was unusually
rare but we managed to spend two days with mother and cub and saw the mother took down a sheep (unfortunately heat haze pretty killed any pictures during that time and only in the late afternoon we were able to get some decent pictures.
Sorry for the quality, distance was quite long so I used Nikon Z9 and 800PF wiht TCx2 the whole time with some cropping needed as well.
p.1 #5 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
Congrats on seeing and capturing these elusive cats. Are they being cannibalistic here?
It sure looks like they are feeding on one of their own!
Douglas
p.1 #10 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
Such a special treat just to witness, with good detail, considering the 800PF w/2.0tc cropped image factor.
Have had 2 Snow Leopard trips cancelled, one for too much snow and the other due to CoVid, so I can understand the frustration of how NO snow would have been, good to see you still came away with some good images.
p.1 #11 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
douter wrote:
Congrats on seeing and capturing these elusive cats. Are they being cannibalistic here?
It sure looks like they are feeding on one of their own!
Douglas
Ditto, except I can't tell if the dead animal is a snow leopard or not, nor can I tell if the leopard closest to it is just smelling it, not eating it.
p.1 #13 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
This is fantastic... While snow leopard photography has become more prevalent, as of late, you should consider yourself fortunate to be one of the few with pictures of them in the wild...
Your story brings underscores the real consequences of climate change!
p.1 #17 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
morris wrote:
Very special sightings and photos.
Morris
Thanks, Morris.
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Al Trujillo wrote:
Incredible sighting! I love how well camouflaged those cats are.
Yes, it is quite difficult to spot them. I would not see them myself without help from experienced trackers. In snow, they
are actually easier to see according to my trackers and they would be able to follow their foot track easier. So no snow make
it much more difficult to find one.
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tntcorp1 wrote:
beautiful animal & well camouflaged.. 👍👍
douter wrote:
Congrats on seeing and capturing these elusive cats. Are they being cannibalistic here?
It sure looks like they are feeding on one of their own!
Douglas
No, the snow leopards managed to get one of the sheep in the valley near a small village there so we
just sat and wait for the leopards to come back to eat its prey.
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Ted ellis wrote:
Fantastic captures of a rare and beautiful mother and child.
RikWriter wrote:
Incredible! Did you run into Sean O'Connell while you were there?
Sorry, that's a Secret Life of Walter Mitty joke.
You be surprised how many friends mentioned the movie to me after this trip
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marc2307 wrote:
Such a special treat just to witness, with good detail, considering the 800PF w/2.0tc cropped image factor.
Have had 2 Snow Leopard trips cancelled, one for too much snow and the other due to CoVid, so I can understand the frustration of how NO snow would have been, good to see you still came away with some good images.
If there were snow, the landscape would be so much nicer. But oh well... at least the snow leopard did not disappoint
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Imagemaster wrote:
Ditto, except I can't tell if the dead animal is a snow leopard or not, nor can I tell if the leopard closest to it is just smelling it, not eating it.
Sheep. After the leopards killed the sheep and sheep herder managed to chase the leopard away. Our guide actually called the sheep herder and asked for the carcass to be left alone so the leopards would come back. There were 3 groups of photographers that they so each group contributed for the cost of the sheep so the leopard will have something to eat (and we will have something to photograph).
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nmerc_photos wrote:
Excellent work as always suteetat.
Do you have social media? Would love to follow more of your work
Thanks. I will PM you my social media information.
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OwlsEyes wrote:
This is fantastic... While snow leopard photography has become more prevalent, as of late, you should consider yourself fortunate to be one of the few with pictures of them in the wild...
Your story brings underscores the real consequences of climate change!
bruce
Yes, this is very sad. Also just as worrisome, many farmers will need to rely on metted snow the next planting season and
if there is no snow, there will be a major draught. Last time there was no snow in January was 2001 according to my local guide. At least that year they got late snow in February. I also feel sorry for hotels, homestays and people in ski business over there. After no work for a few years duie to Covid, now their ski season is also ruined and basically don't get their main winter income.
Kibber is definitely becoming the hot spot for snow leopard. Between Kibber and Chicham village, they can support about 200 visitors at any given time and they are usually full in February and under normal condition, snow leopard sighting around Kibber Animal Sactuary is almost daily during January and February so I would expect to see more and more pictures.
Also Ladakh and Mongolia are also very popular for snow leopards. So now we have a few good places that sighting are quite common in winter time.
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birdied wrote:
Wonderful set and sightings.
Birdie
Thanks Birdie.
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Monika C wrote:
You are so lucky to have been able to see and photograph these animals. Something that the vast majority of us will never do.
p.1 #18 · snow leopard sans snow in Spiti Valley, India
what a set of pictures. really used your equipment well to get these. your time, effort, and persistence were well rewarded in showing these beautiful animals. it is sad how climate change is effecting nature in many parts of the world. thanks for sharing and bringing attention to what is happening on the other side of the world.
