It’s taken a while to write this post.
It’s taken a while to process and absorb the day.
It’s taken the generosity of Claire Thomas Photography recording it all
for me to appreciate exactly how amazing this day was.
It began with a drive into the countryside.
An adventure in itself.
To visit another family and enjoy their remarkable hospitality.
Aykerim and her family welcomed us
with the by now, familiar and welcoming Mongolian hospitality.
(What is mine, is yours)
Even their/my horse ;
an enchanting little (they are all little)
fluffy (they are all fluffy)
aloof (they are all aloof)
nameless (they all are nameless)
and WHAT a PRIVILEGE.
A beautiful young man appeared, towering above me,
with his equally beautiful eagle on his arm.
We followed him, guided by his smile, body language and instinct.
To a world as old as time itself,
and which is slowly (and not so slowly now) fading away.
Traditionally, eagles were used to capture foxes, rabbits etc for,
apart from anything else, their skin for clothing.
With this in mind, the skins had to be whole and undamaged by the bird/s.
Therein is another part of the ‘art of the hunt’
And so we set off to see how the younger generation ‘did things’.
See A day with the King for reference.
There are no words to describe this experience, so I shall attempt to notate photos which I hope will give you a taste of the day.
(and if you want to experience it personally,
contact ClaireThomasPhotography for a private,
exclusive exposure to the nomads and their eagles.
For the horse, the eagle (which is remarkably heavy)
and the rider who is balancing the bird and horse.
Once the prey (in this case a fox) has been spotted and flushed out
(there is almost always someone below – team work – even though the eagle identifies only with its handler, in this cause Baurlas,
the eagle is released.
To soar down quicker than you can blink, well almost.
And pounces on the fox. It is remarkable to watch.
The bird is so large that you cannot see the fox beneath the spread of her wings.
Speed is of the essence now as Baurlas and his horse go down the very mountainous hill as fast as they can to get to the fox before the bird damages it.
The other team member
(in this case on a motor bike 😂 the new and old world blending)
has distracted the bird with some food.
I have deliberately keep these photographs small
as I appreciate not everyone wants to see them.
Nonetheless, here is the hunter tying the fox,
(see the scratches on his hand),
while at the same time rewarding his eagle with meat.
The heavy clothes and large glove serve many purposes,
not least of which is protection.
The eagle has very long sharp talons and an equally sharp beak.
And then, of course there is the fox’s teeth and claws to contend with.
All the while, our horses wait patiently on the top of the hill.
An idea of how far away the two had gone before….
And our pleased as punch hunters return to the top again.
Where we all connect and begin the long descent back to the steppes.
And for me, at least, another wild, wonderful, experience.
Baurlas calls me alongside him – and watch what happens.
But wait, there’s more :
Pinch me……
And that was only the morning 🥰
When we got back to the home, hot lunch and time to absorb what just happened.
And the generous, lovely Baurlas again called the ‘old lady’ outside
and with a twinkle in his eye, stripped.
To reveal a very slight, very young lad under all that fur.
And then with such kindness, dressed me in his huge outfit.
Insisted I get on his horse and gave me his lovely eagle.
Such remarkable memories
Eternally grateful.
Some more images of a magical experience.
And the beautiful huntress is neatly wrapped and tied
Seemingly as happy as always for the trip ‘home’
Brave New World of Blogging 