2. Mongolia

Eagle Festival

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Pair of Kazakh eagle hunters retreiving an escaped Bactrian camel to take to the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia
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Pair of Kazakh eagle hunters retreiving an escaped Bactrian camel to take to the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia

near OlgiiWestern MongoliaKazakh eagle huntersBactrian camelhorsesmountainssteppes

  • Pair of Kazakh eagle hunters retreiving an escaped Bactrian camel to take to the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia
  • Rural scene<br /> <br /> At larger sizes you can see a ger, camel, yak, eagle (sitting behing the ger), dogs, cows, hores, motorcycle and solar panels, among other things. Near Olgii, Western Mongolia
  • Boy riding a Bactrian camel and leading another, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia<br /> <br /> These camels are gaily attired in rugs that keep their humps upright, with holes at the top that their humps stick out of.
  • Well dressed blond Bactrian camel being led to the camel races, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia. This one is wearing a felt blanket.
  • Arrival of the eagle hunters at the Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia (best larger)<br /> <br /> The arrival of the eagle hunters is eagerly awaited by the crowds of locals and tourist who surround them taking photos, films and doing interviews. The blue tent is the VIP tent and the large banner is at the back of a stage where the welcome ceremonies take place.
  • Kazakh eagle hunters seen from the rear, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia<br /> <br /> They are facing the mountain in the background where their eagles are released in the competition for the eagle that returns fastest to its owner who is riding below on horseback tempting the eagle with a piece of meat.
  • Bactrian camel running loose.<br /> <br /> One of the camels from the camel races seems to have escaped from its owner. Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia.<br /> <br /> Many thanks to all for your very kind comments about The Girl at the Window! Very much appreciated!!<br /> <br /> The Eagle Festival takes place every year in the mountains outside of Olgii (Bayan-Olgii) in Western Mongolia. The eagle hunters dressed in their full eagle hunting traditional attire compete in a number of competitions including: best eagle at hunting prey (formerly live prey, but now a fox skin pulled behind another horse), best turned out owner and eagle, and best eagle at returning to its owner from a distance. There are also camel and horse races, archery and the goatskin tug of war on horseback (called Bushkashi), a real crowd favorite.<br /> <br /> Other pictures of the camels and the activites at the beginning of the festival can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/9O1Td8">http://goo.gl/9O1Td8</a><br /> <br /> 20/05/15 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • The competition site at the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia<br /> <br /> Other shots taken just before the start of the Eagle Festival can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/rTw1dI">http://goo.gl/rTw1dI</a><br /> <br /> 28/05/15 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Eagle hunters registering for the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia.
  • Registration desk for the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia
  • Eagle hunters gathering before the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia
  • Pair of eagle hunters arriving for the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia.<br /> <br /> The tin building in the background is the outdoor privy (which later in the day blew down in a gust of wind)
  • Parked golden eagle<br /> <br /> I was amused to see this golden eagle 'parked' behind the VIP tent, with no-one around watching over it. When I was out in the country by the gers, I saw other 'parked' eagles, so I guess the birds are used to it.
  • Eagle hunter registering for the competition, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia
  • Judges just before the opening of the parade of eagles and hunters, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia
  • Eagle hunters and their fans, Olgii Eagle Festival, Western Mongolia
  • Portrait of a hunter with his golden eagle<br /> <br /> One of the competitors at the Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia. <br /> <br /> For other images of the start of the compeition, including one of a 'parked' eagle, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/TCN4xr">http://goo.gl/TCN4xr</a><br /> <br /> 30/05/15 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Bactrian racing camels (best larger)<br /> <br /> The Eagle Festival in Olgii, Western Mongolia has camel races. These are some of the contestants. This photo is stiched together from two consecutive images.<br /> <br /> Other photos of the camels can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/fY49xd">http://goo.gl/fY49xd</a><br /> <br /> 12/06/15 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Bactrian camel riders with golden eagles, Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia<br /> <br /> The Kazakh eagle hunters are normally mounted on horses, so I found it unusual to see eagles on some camels.
  • Bactrian camels, one with a falcon on its back (possibly an Altai falcon), Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia (best largest to see the falcon)
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