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Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)
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Monday, December 25, 2006
Rock paintings of the Khoit Tsenkher cave
Rock paintings of the Khoit Tsenkher cave date back to the Upper Palaeolithic period (20,000-15, 000 years ago).
In one of corners of the cave measuring 2.5 m high and 1.5-2.0 m deep, numerous symbols and animals were painted overlapping each other on the ceiling and wall.
A quiet standing stag was portrayed clearly among the animals. Also a standing buffalo with horus looking ahead was represented separately. In another corner of the cave, many animals including oxes, ibexes, elephants, ostriches were pictured, overlapping each other. It is interesting that dotted lines were drawn over the ostriches.
On its wall in a cave hollow measuring 10 m long and 8 m wide a camel with to humbs was portrayed. Also many symbols and trees were painted at the height of 2.0-2.5 m not far from the wall, where the camel was portrayed.
Lions, elephants, argali sheep, ibexes, ostriches, antelopes, camels, as well as symbols were painted with mineral-based paints of rosy and brown colours on the walls deep inside the cave.
By the method of painting of different kinds of animals, their colour and view, the Khoit Tsenkher cave rock paintings show their original artistic, cultural and historical features which are different from the other rock paintings in Mongolia and her neighbouring countries. Some particular parts of the animals such as their horns, necks, humbs are depicted with an exaggerated hyper-realism typical of the Palaeolothic period. Spots adjacent to the images of goats and ostriches carved on the Khoit Tsenkher cave rock are not her typical features of the Palaeolothic period by which flocks of animals were represented by sports, rather repeated painting of individual animals many times over.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Green Tara
B.Sharav, the famous Mongolian artist of Bogd Khaan Palace, painted this Green Tara combining classic and modern portrayal methods. Shyamatara is depicted as a beautiful young women. Amitabha is on the top of her head. She wears a foliate petal tiara, ring shaped earrings inset with precious stones, a necklace, armlets and bracelets. Green tara holds the stem of a lotus flower in both hands. She sits on a lotus base with her pendent right leg supported by a lotus, while her left leg is folded. Blue Tara and Yellow Tara stand in the lower right and left corners. It was painted following precisely the iconography the mystic incantation form of the deity. Drawing of chrysanthemums and lotus flowers around her makes the painting more elaborate in detail and some parts are painted partially in gold.During the suppression, Lama Ovgonkhuu of Erdenezuu Monastery in Kharakhorum kept this painting.
Photo by Gansukh.N, Source: Mongolian Antique Museum
Saturday, November 25, 2006
GPS & Photography
Digital photos can come with auxiliary information embedded in the photo file: the camera make and model the time when the photo was shot, the aperture settings, and so forth.
This auxiliary information is called metadata.
Although most people care about a photo's pixels, rather than its metadata, metadata can provide good cues for organizing, browsing, and finding your photos, and more importantly, it can aid in telling your story.
There are two pieces of metadata that provide the context of a photo: when and where. Knowing that a photo was taken during your last trip, for example, or that a photo was taken at Disneyland, says a lot about the photo even before you see a single pixel.
Date & time are easy to acquire - almost all digital cameras have an internal clock, and every photograph you snap is stamped with the date and time without any extra effort on your part.
Geographic location is harder to come by. There are a handful of high-end cameras on the market that can connect to a GPS device and which automatically enter location information into the photo file. For those of us who don't own such a camera, there are two methods for attaching this valuable location information to the photograph, both of which require special software.
This auxiliary information is called metadata.
Although most people care about a photo's pixels, rather than its metadata, metadata can provide good cues for organizing, browsing, and finding your photos, and more importantly, it can aid in telling your story.
There are two pieces of metadata that provide the context of a photo: when and where. Knowing that a photo was taken during your last trip, for example, or that a photo was taken at Disneyland, says a lot about the photo even before you see a single pixel.
Date & time are easy to acquire - almost all digital cameras have an internal clock, and every photograph you snap is stamped with the date and time without any extra effort on your part.
Geographic location is harder to come by. There are a handful of high-end cameras on the market that can connect to a GPS device and which automatically enter location information into the photo file. For those of us who don't own such a camera, there are two methods for attaching this valuable location information to the photograph, both of which require special software.
- Manually drag and drop photos onto a map once the photo is on your computer.
- An external GPS device can be used to keep track of the camera location and the data can be synchronized later using specialized software.
Once your photos are time-stamped and location-stamped, software allows you to take advantage of this information in a variety of ways.
- The GPS information in the Digital Photos could be used by tools like Google Earth to zoom in to the location based on the coordinates.
- For biologists, it can be a tool to track and monitor endangered plants and animals, though hopefully not to document their extinction. The photo represents information on where to look, and what to look for, in searching for what has become of a unique moment.
- There are other major advantages in having GPS information encoded in the EXIF data of a photograph. For a photographer trying to organize a vast collection of images, it would be of immense help.
- Part of the point in knowing the exact time and place is to make an indisputable photographic record of that unique moment. For example, you might document year after year the same patch of wildflowers. The photos would provide a record of their exact location, to assist in relocating them for future photo shoots. They would also be a valuable tool in biological study of the changing dynamics of a local flower population.
- Information on exact GPS coordinates also allows photographers to categorize places of interest, sorting all images automatically that meet these criteria.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Bird checklist of Mongolia
GAVIIFORMES: Gaviidae
- Arctic Loon Gavia arctica
PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae
- Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
- Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
- Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae
- Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus
PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae
- Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus
- Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
- Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris
CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae
- Black Stork Ciconia nigra
- Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana
CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
- Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
- Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
- Mute Swan Cygnus olor
- Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
- Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
- Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
- Bean Goose Anser fabalis
- Greylag Goose Anser anser
- Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
- Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
- Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
- Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
- Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
- Falcated Duck Anas falcata
- Gadwall Anas strepera
- Baikal Teal Anas formosa
- Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
- Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha
- Northern Pintail Anas acuta
- Garganey Anas querquedula
- Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
- Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
- Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca
- Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
- Greater Scaup Aythya marila
- Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus
- White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca
- Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
- Smew Mergellus albellus
- Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
- Common Merganser Mergus merganser
- White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala
FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae
- Osprey Pandion haliaetus
FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae
- European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
- Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
- Black Kite Milvus migrans
- Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus
- White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
- Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus
- Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
- Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis
- Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus
- Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
- Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
- Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
- Eastern Marsh-Harrier Circus spilonotus
- Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
- Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
- Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos
- Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
- Shikra Accipiter badius
- Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
- Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
- Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
- Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
- Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius
- Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus
- Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
- Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
- Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
- Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
- Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
- Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
- Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
- Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
- Amur Falcon Falco amurensis
- Merlin Falco columbarius
- Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
- Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
- Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides
- Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
GALLIFORMES: Tetraonidae
- Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus
- Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta
- Black-billed Capercaillie Tetrao parvirostris
- Eurasian Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus
- Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix
- Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
- Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus
- Chukar Alectoris chukar
- Gray Partridge Perdix perdix
- Daurian Partridge Perdix dauurica
- Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica
- Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
- Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha
- Brown Eared-Pheasant Crossoptilon mantchuricum
- Blue Eared-Pheasant Crossoptilon auritum
- Reeves's Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii
- Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
GRUIFORMES: Gruidae
- Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo
- Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus
- White-naped Crane Grus vipio
- Common Crane Grus grus
- Hooded Crane Grus monacha
- Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
- Swinhoe's Rail Coturnicops exquisitus
- Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
- Corn Crake Crex crex
- Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla
- Spotted Crake Porzana porzana
- Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
- Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
GRUIFORMES: Otididae
- Great Bustard Otis tarda
- Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata
- Macqueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii
- Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax
CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae
- Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
CHARADRIIFORMES: Ibidorhynchidae
- Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii
CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae
- Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
- Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae
- Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae
- Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
- Gray-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus
- Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva
- American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica
- European Golden-Plover Pluvialis apricaria
- Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
- Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
- Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
- Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
- Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus
- Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii
- Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus
- Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
- Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
- Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
- Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria
- Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura
- Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala
- Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
- Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus
- Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
- Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
- Little Curlew Numenius minutus
- Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
- Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
- Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
- Common Redshank Tringa totanus
- Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
- Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
- Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
- Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
- Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
- Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
- Gray-tailed Tattler Heterosceles brevipes
- Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
- Red Knot Calidris canutus
- Sanderling Calidris alba
- Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis
- Little Stint Calidris minuta
- Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
- Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta
- Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
- Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
- Dunlin Calidris alpina
- Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus
- Ruff Philomachus pugnax
- Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
- Mew Gull Larus canus
- Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
- Herring Gull Larus argentatus
- East Siberian Gull Larus vegae
- Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
- Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus
- Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus
- Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
- Saunders's Gull Larus saundersi
- Relict Gull Larus relictus
- Little Gull Larus minutus
- Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae
- Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
- Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
- Common Tern Sterna hirundo
- Little Tern Sterna albifrons
- Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
- White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
- Black Tern Chlidonias niger
PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae
- Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
- Rock Pigeon Columba livia
- Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris
- Pale-backed Pigeon Columba eversmanni
- Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus
- Eurasian Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur
- Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis
- Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
- Red Collared-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
- Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
- Horsfield's Cuckoo Cuculus horsfieldi
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
- European Scops-Owl Otus scops
- Oriental Scops-Owl Otus sunia
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo
- Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
- Ural Owl Strix uralensis
- Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa
- Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula
- Eurasian Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium passerinum
- Little Owl Athene noctua
- Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
- Long-eared Owl Asio otus
- Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
- Gray Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus
- Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
APODIFORMES: Apodidae
- White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus
- Common Swift Apus apus
- Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
- Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
- Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata
CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae
- European Roller Coracias garrulus
CORACIIFORMES: Upupidae
- Hoopoe Upupa epops
PICIFORMES: Picidae
- Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
- White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
- Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
- Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus
- Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius
- Gray-faced Woodpecker Picus canus
PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae
- Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra
- Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha mongolica
- White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera
- Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
- Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
- Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens
- Crested Lark Galerida cristata
- Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
- Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
- Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
- Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
- Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
- Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
- Common House-Martin Delichon urbica
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
- White Wagtail Motacilla alba
- Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens
- Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola
- Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
- Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
- Oriental Pipit Anthus rufulus
- Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi
- Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
- Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii
- Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
- Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
- Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi
- Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
- Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
- American Pipit Anthus rubescens
PASSERIFORMES: Regulidae
- Goldcrest Regulus regulus
PASSERIFORMES: Bombycillidae
- Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae
- White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus
PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae
- Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
PASSERIFORMES: Prunellidae
- Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
- Himalayan Accentor Prunella himalayana
- Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella
- Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens
- Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis
- Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
- Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis
- Siberian Thrush Zoothera sibirica
- Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma
- Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus
- Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis
- Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni
- Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
- Redwing Turdus iliacus
- Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
- Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae
- Spotted Bush-Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus
- Chinese Bush-Warbler Bradypterus tacsanowskius
- Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata
- Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
- Pallas's Warbler Locustella certhiola
- Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides
- Gray's Warbler Locustella fasciolata
- Black-browed Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
- Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola
- Blyth's Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
- Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
- Oriental Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis
- Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
- Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon
- Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata
- Sykes's Warbler Hippolais rama
- Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
- Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus
- Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus
- Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus
- Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi
- Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus
- Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
- Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei
- Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
- Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
- Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes
- Marsh Grassbird Megalurus pryeri
- Fly River Grassbird Megalurus albolimbatus
- Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
- Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
- Small Whitethroat Sylvia minula
- Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana
- Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
- Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
- Siberian Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
- Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
- Korean Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia
- Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki
- Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
- Rufous-tailed Robin Luscinia sibilans
- Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
- Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope
- Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
- Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane
- Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus
- Rufous-backed Redstart Phoenicurus erythronota
- Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
- Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
- Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
- White-winged Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster
- Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura
- Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
- White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis
- Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
- Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
- Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
- Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae
- Pere David's Laughingthrush Garrulax davidi
PASSERIFORMES: Paradoxornithidae
- Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus
- Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus
- Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae
- Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
- Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
- Willow Tit Poecile montana
- Gray-headed Chickadee Poecile cincta
- Coal Tit Periparus ater
- Great Tit Parus major
- Turkestan Tit Parus bokharensis
- Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae
- Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
PASSERIFORMES: Tichodromidae
- Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria
PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae
- Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae
- White-crowned Penduline-Tit Remiz coronatus
- Chinese Penduline-Tit Remiz consobrinus
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
- Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
- Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
- Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus
- Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
- Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor
- Chinese Gray Shrike Lanius sphenocercus
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
- Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus
- Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
- Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana
- Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
- Mongolian Ground-Jay Podoces hendersoni
- Eurasian Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes
- Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
- Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula
- Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus
- Rook Corvus frugilegus
- Carrion Crow Corvus corone
- Common Raven Corvus corax
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
- Daurian Starling Sturnia sturnina
- Rosy Starling Pastor roseus
- White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus
- European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae
- Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
- Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos
- Rock Bunting Emberiza cia
- Godlewski's Bunting Emberiza godlewskii
- Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides
- Gray-hooded Bunting Emberiza buchanani
- Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana
- Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata
- Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
- Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys
- Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica
- Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola
- Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila
- Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps
- Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala
- Pallas's Bunting Emberiza pallasi
- Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
- Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus
- Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
- Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
- Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
- Plain Mountain-Finch Leucosticte nemoricola
- Black-headed Mountain-Finch Leucosticte brandti
- Asian Rosy-Finch Leucosticte arctoa
- Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator
- Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
- Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus
- Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus
- Red-mantled Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodochlamys
- Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla
- Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
- White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera
- Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea
- Hoary Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni
- Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus
- European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
- Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica
- Twite Carduelis flavirostris
- Eurasian Linnet Carduelis cannabina
- Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
- Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
- Yellow-billed Grosbeak Eophona migratoria
- Mongolian Finch Rhodopechys mongolica
- Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta
- Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
- Saxaul Sparrow Passer ammodendri
- House Sparrow Passer domesticus
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
- Rock Petronia Petronia petronia
- White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis
- Pere David's Snowfinch Montifringilla davidiana
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Things to photograph in Mongolia
- Over 450 species of birds
- 138 species of mammals
- 12500 species of insects
- 74 species of fish
- 20 reptiles
- 2823 species of high vascular plants
- 920 species of lichen
- 417 species of moss
- 520 species of fungus
- 728 species of algae
- 33 gobi desert
- over 20 peaks with eternal snow
- 4000 rivers
- 400 springs
- 16 large lakes and many small lakes
- 50 protected areas
- 700 monasteries and/or ruins of monasteries
- 21 aimags
- 73 monuments in Ulaanbaatar
- Many historical and cultural monuments
- Many everyday life situations
- Beautiful sunsets and sunrises
- Stars and moon
- Blue sky
- and more
Saturday, November 18, 2006
World heritage in Mongolia
Uvs Nuur Basin
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
Uvs Nuur Lake is the largest lake in Mongolia, which, at 753 m above sea level, covers an area of 3,350 km². Its northeastern part is situated in the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation. The largest settlement on the shore is Ulaangom. This shallow and very saline body of water is the only remainder of a huge saline sea which covered a much larger area several thousand years ago.
The Uvs Nuur Lake is the centre of the Uvs Nuur Basin, which covers an area of 700,000 km² and represents one of the best-preserved natural steppe landscapes of Eurasia. Apart from the Uvs Nuur, the basin comprises several smaller lakes, notably the Ureg Nuur Lake, which lies at 1,450 m above sea level. As these lakes lie to the north of other inland seas of Central Asia, they are of key importance for waterfowl migration.
Since the basin spans the geoclimatic boundary between Siberia and Central Asia, temperatures may vary from −58°C in winter to 47°C in summer. Despite its harsh climate, the basin is home to 173 bird species and 41 mammal species, including the globally endangered snow leopard, argali, and Asiatic ibex.
Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
The Orkhon Valley encompasses 121.967 hectares, and can be found in Central-Mongolia. It also includes Kharkhorum, the 13th and 14th century capital of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan’s vast Empire.The inclusion of this site is a tribute to Mongolia’s nomadic culture, that even now persists. Further, it illustrates several significant stages in human history. First and foremost it was the centre of the Mongolian Empire; secondly it reflects a particular Mongolian variation of Turkish power; thirdly, the Tuvkhun hermitage monastery was the setting for the development of a Mongolian form of Buddhism; and fourthly, Khar Balgas, reflects the Uighur urban culture in the capital of the Uighur Empire.
Ramsar site lists of Mongolia
Hovd aimag
- Ayrag Nuur (48º53’N 093º25’E)
- Har Us Nuur National Park (47º58’N 092º50’E)
Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs aimag
- Lake Achit and its surrounding wetlands (49°40’N 090°35’E)
Uvs aimag
- Lake Uvs and its surrounding wetlands (50°20’N 092°45’E)
Dornod aimag
- Lake Buir and its surrounding wetlands (47°48’N 117°40’E)
- Mongol Daguur (49º42’N 115º06’E)
Sukhbaatar aimag
- Lake Ganga and its surrounding wetlands (45°15’N 114°00’E)
Khentii aimag
- Lakes in the Khurkh-Khuiten Valley (48°18’N 110°34’E)
Arkhangai aimag
- Ogii Nuur (47º46’N 102º46’E)
- Terhiyn Tsagaan Nuur (48º10’N 099º43’E)
Bayankhongor aimag
- Valley of Lakes (Boon Tsagaan Nuur, Taatsiin Tsagaan Nuur, Adgiin Tasgaan Nuur, Orog Nuur) (45º19’N 099º58’E)
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Important Bird Areas In Mongolia
Bayan-Ulgii aimag
- Khoton Nuur and Khorgon Nuur at Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
- Dayan Nuur at Altai Tavan Bogd
- Tolbo Nuur
- Achit Nuur
Uvs aimag
- Uureg Nuur
- Uvs Nuur
- Airag Nuur
- Baga Nuur and Bayan Nuur of the Zuungovi
Khovd aimag
Zavhan aimag
- Khomyn tal
- Santmargatsyn Bayan Nuur
- Otgontenger mountain
- Telmen Nuur
Gobi-Altai aimag
- Small lakes near Chamdmani Tolgoi, Jargalant soum
Bayanhongor aimag
- Boon Tsagaan Nuur
- Orog Nuur
- Taatsiin Tsagaan Nuur
Uvurkhangai aimag
- Ulziitiin Sangiin Dalai Nuur
Huvsgul aimag
- Darkhad basin
- Khovsgol Nuur
- Erkhel Nuur
- Khovsgoliin Sangiin Dalai Nuur
Arkhangai aimag
- Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur
- Ogii Nuur
Bulgan aimag
- Teshigiin Olon Nuur
- Airkhan Nuur
- Dashinchilen Bayan Nuur
Selenge aimag
- Selengiin Tsagaan Nuur
- Confluence of Orkhon and Selenge rivers
Khentii aimag
- Valley of Khurkh-Khutien
- Onon-Balj
Dornod aimag
- Tsengeleg Nuur
- Mongol Daguur
- Khukh Nuur
- Buir Nuur
- Tashgain Tavan Nuur
Sukhbaatar aimag
- Ganga Nuur
Dornogovi aimag
- Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve
Mammals of Mongolia
Mongolia wild mammals have unique species composition, distribution and origin. In Mongolia exist 138 species mammals belonging to 73 genera, 22 families and 8 orders; which is 13 insectivores; 12 chiropters; 6 lagomorphs; 69 rodents; 24 carnivores; 2 perissodactyls; 1 tylopods; and 11 artiodactyls.
There are 32 species of rare, very rare and endemic species of Central Asia and Mongolia.
There are several mammalian whose population sizes and ranges have become smaller due to either the direct or indirect impact of human activities and the environmental and climate change.
The Mongolian Red Book, published in 1997, has 2 categories of endangered species, rare and very rare and it includes 30 species and sub-species of mammals.
Mongolian Photo
There are 32 species of rare, very rare and endemic species of Central Asia and Mongolia.
There are several mammalian whose population sizes and ranges have become smaller due to either the direct or indirect impact of human activities and the environmental and climate change.
The Mongolian Red Book, published in 1997, has 2 categories of endangered species, rare and very rare and it includes 30 species and sub-species of mammals.
Mongolian Photo
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Gurvansaikhan National Park
Gobi Gurvansaikhan park encompasses the series of ridges and valleys that make up the eastern end of the Gobi Altai mountains. Surrounded by low plains, the mountains rise to 2200-2600 meters, and include the Gurvan saikhan (three adjacent ridges named Zuun (East), Dund (Middle), and Baruun (West) saikhan), Zoolon, Sevrei, Gilbent, and Nemegt ridges. Some of the peaks are volcanic in origin.
The park, which extends for more than 380 kilometers from east to west, lies at the northern edge of the Gobi desert but includes desert steppe and steppe at higher elevations. The park's landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, salt pans, and oases. Gurvansaikhan includes the highest diversity of plant life in the Gobi Altai, with over 620 species of flowering plants. Most are characteristic of Central Asian deserts, including 38 endemic species. During years with adequate precipitation, desert plants produce vibrant summer displays of desert flowers.
Fifty-two species of mammals are found here, including eight species listed in the Mongolian Red Book as endangered. Small herds of wild ass and black-tailed and Mongolian gazelle roam the desert valleys and desert steppe, while the mountains provide suitable habitat for threatened and endangered animals such as argali, Siberian ibex, and snow leopard. Long-eared hedgehogs and dwarf hamsters inhabit sandy areas. Over 240 bird species occur in the area, including 34 resident species, 99 breeding species, and 70 migrants.
Local herders seasonally graze livestock in parts of the park, which features some popular tourist destinations, including the Valley of Yol, a picturesque gorge, and the Singing Sands, a spectacular sea of sand dunes bordered by red sandstone formations, an oasis, and a saxaul forest. The Nemegt, Khermiin Tsav, Naran daats, and Bayanzag mountains, the sites of numerous important dinosaur fossil discoveries, also lie within the park.
Birds of Mongolia
Mongolia known as a landlocked country remote from the sea is however prominent for its extremely diversified landscape. Mountain ranges, small and bigger lakes, and rivers, semi-desert Gobi area, forest steppes ar all home to many species of birds.
In Mongolia have been recorded over 450 different species of birds belonging to 200 genera, 60 families of 19 orders registered. Mongolia has 81 species which live permanently, 245 species egg in our country, 9 species pass the summer, 60 species of birds occasionally occur in Mongolia and 10 species birds arrive here to pass winter.
In Mongolia are registered 30 rare and very rare birds. The species registered in the Red Book of Mongolia are: Pelecanus crispus - Dalmation Pelican, Egretta alba - Great White Egret, Platalea leucorodia - Eurasian or White Spoonbill, Ciconia nigra - Black Stork, Cygnus olor - Mute Swan, Cygnus cygnus - Whooper Swan, Eulabeia indica - Bar-headed Goose, Cygnopsis cygnoides - Swan Goose, Anas formosa - Baikal Teal, Aythya baeri - Baer's Pochard, Aix galericulata - Mandarin Duck, Oxyura leucocephala - White-headed Duck, Pandion haliaetus - Osprey, Haliaeetus albicilla - White tailed Eagle, Gyps himalayensis - Himalayan Griffon, Tetraogallus altaicus - Altai Snowcock, Phasianus colchicus - Ring-necked Pheasant, Grus monacha - Hooded Crane, Grus vipio - Japanese White-naped Crane, Grus leucogeranus - Sibirian White Crane, Otis tarda - Great Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata - Houbara Bustard, Limnodromus semipalmatus - Asiatic Dowitcher, Larus ichthyaetus - Great Black-headed Gull, Larus relictus - Relict Gull, Saxicola insignus - Hodgsan's Bushchat, Paradoxornix heudei - Chinese or Reed Parrotbill, Remizpendulinus - Eurasian Penduline Tit, Podoces hendersoni - Henderson's Ground-jay.
The species registered in the The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are:
Bunting
Bushchat
Bustard
Corncrake
Crane
Duck
Eagle
In Mongolia have been recorded over 450 different species of birds belonging to 200 genera, 60 families of 19 orders registered. Mongolia has 81 species which live permanently, 245 species egg in our country, 9 species pass the summer, 60 species of birds occasionally occur in Mongolia and 10 species birds arrive here to pass winter.
In Mongolia are registered 30 rare and very rare birds. The species registered in the Red Book of Mongolia are: Pelecanus crispus - Dalmation Pelican, Egretta alba - Great White Egret, Platalea leucorodia - Eurasian or White Spoonbill, Ciconia nigra - Black Stork, Cygnus olor - Mute Swan, Cygnus cygnus - Whooper Swan, Eulabeia indica - Bar-headed Goose, Cygnopsis cygnoides - Swan Goose, Anas formosa - Baikal Teal, Aythya baeri - Baer's Pochard, Aix galericulata - Mandarin Duck, Oxyura leucocephala - White-headed Duck, Pandion haliaetus - Osprey, Haliaeetus albicilla - White tailed Eagle, Gyps himalayensis - Himalayan Griffon, Tetraogallus altaicus - Altai Snowcock, Phasianus colchicus - Ring-necked Pheasant, Grus monacha - Hooded Crane, Grus vipio - Japanese White-naped Crane, Grus leucogeranus - Sibirian White Crane, Otis tarda - Great Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata - Houbara Bustard, Limnodromus semipalmatus - Asiatic Dowitcher, Larus ichthyaetus - Great Black-headed Gull, Larus relictus - Relict Gull, Saxicola insignus - Hodgsan's Bushchat, Paradoxornix heudei - Chinese or Reed Parrotbill, Remizpendulinus - Eurasian Penduline Tit, Podoces hendersoni - Henderson's Ground-jay.
The species registered in the The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are:
Bunting
Bushchat
Bustard
Corncrake
Crane
- Hooded Crane (Grus monacha)
- Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)
- Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus)
- White-naped Crane (Grus vipio)
Duck
Eagle
- Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)
- Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
- White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Fish-eagle
Goose
Grassbird
Gull
Harrier
Kestrel
Lapwing
Parrotbill
Pelican
Pochard
Stork
Teal
Vulture
Monday, November 6, 2006
How to photograph birds
Bird photographs are difficult to take. They move around in only a few seconds.
- Get close enough to the bird
- Use the longest lens you have
- Use a teleconverter to extend the focal length
- Try placing your prefocused camera on a ledge nearby where you expect the birds to come. Focus it, adjust the settings then leave it there. Watch from a far. When you think you have the perfect photo, use a remote control to trigger the shutter.
- Combine a scope with your digital camera
- Try to use a tripod to get sharper photos. If you're without a tripod, try resting the camera on a stable object.
- Use Fast Shutter Speeds
- Use Continous shooting mode
- Please follow Code of Birding Ethics
Friday, November 3, 2006
Baga gazar
The Baga Gazar mountain is a huge granite massive. Small hills with a rounded top are dominant. They are separated by small valleys without water flow. In this area weathering and erosion are intensive.
Argali and Sibirian ibex are found in this place.
GPS coordinate is 46°23'18.47"N, 105°39'3.23"E
Sum huh burd
Sum huh burd is situated on the territory of Adaatsag soum in Dundgovi aimag.
There is a monastry, build by Mongolians on the small island of lake Burd. It is said that khutagt Danzanravjaa put his famous play "Saran khuhhuu" in this monastry.
Swan, duck and Partridge are common on the lake. South of the lake "Burd" is the spring Uudiin bulag, famous for its water's curative properties.
GPS coordinate is 46°23'36.13"N, 105°35'24.01"E
Thursday, November 2, 2006
Zorgol khairkhan
This is a sacred mountain, found in the area of Bayan Unjuul soum of Tov aimag/province, about 150 km from Ulaanbaatar. The peak is 1686 m ASL. Zorgol Khairkhan Mountain is venerated and revered by the local people, who believe that it is the siege of a great, benevolent spirit. Many lines and stanzas were dedicated to this mountain in the famous poems of the modern poet B.Lkhagvasuren. The huge, red granite mountain does indeed have a diverse and beautiful nature to offer. It has many caves and water springs. Lucky visitors may see wild animals like mountain goats, ibex and eagles (at their nests). There are several burial sites of ancient Mongol soldiers around this mountain. According to shamanic custom, pronouncing the name of the holy mountains while visiting them is forbidden.
The mountain is composed of granite rock, being in the Granite belt of Mongolia.The mountain was mentioned as Zorgol Khan in the 'Secret History of Mongols'.
Mongolians have an ancient tradition of protecting and preserving the beautiful nature and landscape. The ancient legal manuscript called Khalkh Juram ordered the protection and preservation of fourteen mountains, including Bogd khaan, Khan-Khentii, Khugnu-Khaan and Zorgol-Khairkhan Mountains.
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