View of the Hawkwatchers - November 2012 by Krishna Mani Baral

This photo shows the raptor watchers and counters at the "Australian Camp" in Thoolakharka, Nepal (elevation 1,995 meters or so). This is the official watch site from approximately 1 November through 15 December. In September and October, this area is clouded (or fogged) in, so the official count takes place across the valley (to the south) at Paudur Hill (elevation approx. 1,500 meters). The photo shows from left to right, Vanessa Zembal (Canada) then Tulsi Subedi (of Nepal; sitting next to his spotting scope), Henk Smit (Holland), Dr. Robert DeCandido (USA; holding up his 800mm lens), and Hemanta Dhakal (Nepal)...and an unidentified European fellow. The photo was likely taken by Krishna Mani Baral at about 4pm in the afternoon...We are all looking to the east - raptors follow an east to west migration patgh in the foothills of the Himalayas. To our left (north) is the Annapurna Range - and behind us you can see a few guest houses (eg., the Australian Camp) and restaurants where one can stay (about $7 USD/night) and eat (about $-4-5 USD/meal - food is moderately expensive here because all items have to be brought in by horse/mule from the town (Khande) in the nearby valley.