animals TAKIN, Bhutan’s National Animal; (Please try to view it large)

The reason for Bhutan selecting the Takin as the national animal isbased on both its uniqueness and its strong association with thecountry's religious history and mythology. When the great saint LamaDrukpa Kunley, "the divine madman", visited Bhutan in the 15thcentury, a large congregation of devotees gathered around the countryto witness his magical powers. The people urged the lama to perform amiracle. However, the saint, in his usual unorthodox and outrageousway, demanded that he first be served a whole cow and a goat forlunch. He devoured these with relish and left only bones. Afterletting out a large and satisfied burp, he took the goat's head andstuck it onto the bones of the cow. And then with a snap of hisfingers, he commanded the strange beast to rise up and graze on themountainside.
Thanks for your comments.

A beautiful original shot, never seen before, Kaushik!

Best regards,

Ruud.

Hi Kaushik,

First, thanks so much for the fine narrative on this image. I really appreciate it when folks take the time to contribute knowledge along with their images.

About the image, with its "Roman nose" (reminds me of an old girlfriend... the rest of her was much nicer) the lighting is very difficult to deal with in these shots so I would try to compensate for it and crop it to be less centered (and to show that those pine cones are not something left by the Takin)  That lovely face needs to be more noticeable.

.......... wow, certainly a strange looking animal. I have never seen one before, in fact never even heard of it, so thank you for the write-up... very educational

Regards

Great capture and wonderful appropriate lighting and environment! Congratulations Kaushik!

Best regards!

PDE

Great cure for indigestion! (Last sentence of your commentary)  Your suggestion to view this one 'Larger' was a good one as the smaller version appears to lack details in the deep shadow areas, especially the face.  A tad lightening would suffice, at least on my screen.  Steve makes a valid point about the position of this animal in the frame and I will add that it's front hoofs could use a bit more room at the bottom.  They are almost, if not, touching the frame line.  Not that you didn't have the room.  That said you do a fine service bringing this animal to our attention as it is not very well known, in the Western Hemisphere.  (new to me at least)  Best, LM.

Very nice description as well as depictation.Well controlled light with great details.I specially loved the treatment of the BG.

My best regards.

Kallol

Certainly a strange looking animal Kaushik. But most enjoyable your story behind why Takin took it to be it's National animal. Great shot and compelling narrative.

Kind regards, Gail

Kaushik,

This magnificent animal is well captured.

The composition suggests that this animal is peaceful, yet in command of his surroundings.

Well done.

Best Regards, Mike

Great detail.

Congrats !

Thanks for the lesson. A very successful result given the very tricky light.

The additional processing gives it an artistic look which I like. Well done.

very nice light and PP work. compliments -koushik