Capturing The Tails Of The Wild In Ladakh

I knew it right from the onset&mdashit would be no easy task to photograph Ladakh&rsquos fauna. Even more than being physically sound, I had to prepare myself mentally. I needed immense willpower to shoot my desired species in the face of piercing cold, low oxygen levels, treacherous terrain and tedious drives. The pictures you see are a result of 17 days of effort, during which I followed a punishing routine. Despite the weather conditions, the alarm clock was set for 4.15am daily. 

Much as I wished to capture the beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and the gorgeous terrain of course, it was important to pass on these opportunities for the sake of the red fox or crane. Many times, it was, literally, an uphill task just to get the desired shot. Take the Himalayan marmot for instance. My first encounter with the mammal was all about fragrant woods, dazzling snow, finger-numbing breeze, not to mention a bleeding nose. I was at Khardung La, at a height of about 18,000 feet.

Photography is often an overwhelming experience in Ladakh, and you find yourself pushing your limits at every turn. I will not bore you beyond this with my experience of wandering the land of high passes. Instead, just sit back and enjoy the images I have brought back.