Kazakh Eagle Hunters in West Mongolia
Kazakh Eagle Hunters in West Mongolia
by Dawn Li [@li.dawn]
I love to travel. Western Mongolia was a last-minute decision as there were so many targeted places in my mind and I hadn’t made it to western Mongolia during my first visit in April last year but the southern part only. It was the public holidays of the Chinese Lunar New Year during my travel. And to my surprise, the Mongolian Lunar New Year takes place the same time as the Chinese and also the same public holidays. I learnt that from a Mongolian lady sat next to me in the flight to Ulaanbaatar. No wonder the flight was so full, even though it was during the low season. Many Mongolian people were returning home for their new year.
A happy family photo for the Kazakh eagle hunters. Mr Ardakh is a Kazakh eagle hunter living with his family in the Atlay Region. Their son is 19 years old and their daughter, called Molgir, is 11 years old. Life is so simple and yet so tough in the region because of the long severe winter. Herding is the main source of living for the nomadic people, whereas eagle hunting is a well-known traditional Kazakh activity. Mr Ardakh’s son has become a young eagle hunter like his dad. In this remote area, there are no much entertainment but merely poker-playing and tv-watching. The latter also depends on the availability of solar power. During my stay, the host family enjoyed a lot seeing the photos and videos I took for them. It was so much joy out of the simple, peaceful life there and I was more than happy to do so.
During hunting, the first step is to find the targets which are mostly foxes, wild rabbits, and marmots. The eagle is not just a hunting partner which works closely with the hunter, but also a buddy and a family member. The eagle was kept at home most of the time even though it produces quite often a series of high-pitched whistling. There are only male eagle hunters in the Kazakh region because it takes time away from home, deep in the high mountains, to train an eagle to hunt.
Eagle hunting is a tradition of the Kazakhs in western Mongolia. There is a Golden Eagle Festival each year in October which is a big festival in the Kazakh region. Mr Ardakh’s lady eagle is 5 years old and was the fastest flying champion in the Festival. I went hunting with the eagle hunter for two days in the surrounding Altay mountains but the eagle didn’t fly, even though she was urged to do so. It was likely because she was fed too full the day before.
If the hunting is successful and a fox is caught, the liver and meat of the prey will be fed to the eagle as a reward while the skin and hair of the prey will be used for making clothes.
The most memorable experience came from the children there, as always during my journeys. I stayed with several hosts with children. Their innocence and loveliness completely melted my heart and I could always learn from children happiness could be a very simple thing.
I ate horse meat while I was in Mongolia which made me feel bad. I like horses and camels and regard them as travelling partners, not meat on the table. Horse and camel meat are very popular delicacies in the Kazakh Region. I gave a remark to my travel agent but I think my guide forgot about it until somebody mentioned what we were eating and it was already the last few days of my journey. I thought it was yak meat.
A chat with Gold Coast Photographer, Blaze Parsons.
My name is Blaze Parsons, born and raised here on the coast. I Love to surf, travel and take photos. The ocean has always been a part of my life. I love that it is ever-changing, with its mix of beauty and power. Each day brings a different natural work of art with new and exciting ways to capture these moments. I’m a full-time concreter which takes up most of my time. But when I’m not working, I try to be at the beach as much as possible. I’m such a kook at speaking about myself. That’s why I’m a photographer; my photos can do the talking haha.
Why did you start with photography? What was your first camera?
I think I got my first camera when I was 11, it wasn’t anything special just an old second-hand film camera, but I loved it! The last couple of years I’ve just been using GoPro’s. I love how handy and tough it was for traveling, surfing and everyday adventures. It wasn’t until the start of last year that I bought a decent camera and starting learning how to use it. A few months after that I bought my first drone, experimenting with different things and learning from there.
You wake up on your day-off and the surf is pumping. Do you grab your camera first or a board?
Both ! I always leave the house with all my camera gear and a couple of boards depending on the swell. I normally try to be up for sunrise so I don’t really know what I’m gonna get until I’m there. It’s a constant battle between paddling out first or shooting photos. Normally surfing is the priority but I almost always do both! I will take some shots, then paddle out and then take more photos after.
What other photographers and artists do you admire?
There are so many! I love Sean Scott’s ocean photography of the coast and his travels around Australia. It constantly feeds my goal to road trip around this beautiful country one day! Also one of my close friends Marc Gardner! All of his ocean and travel photography. He’s kinda been my go to support for everything photography while I’ve been learning. He definitely inspired me to want to take photography more seriously.
What is your most favorite photo you have ever taken?
I have so many favorites but I think my drone photo of the swirl in the surf just off Burleigh headland is my favorite. It was such an epic morning of swell and I’d been taking shots of perfect barrels for a while and then I started to see this whirlpool forming underneath the drone. I was so stoked with it, it was something you couldn’t see without that unique perspective from using a drone.
Who is your favourite surfer to watch?
Definitely Rob Machado! Dude has just got style on anything he rides. Watching him surf wooden Alaia's inspired me to make my own and he changed the way I surf.
Favourite spot to shoot at?
Burleigh headland and Tallebudgera creek. I’m at Burleigh almost every weekend for sunrise and it never gets old! Tallebudgera creek has been my favourite spot on the coast since I was a kid.
What’s in your camera bag?
My bag consists of a Sony a6000 , with a 16-50mm kit lens , a 55-210mm zoom lens and a meikon waterhousing. I also use a Gopro hero 4 with a knekt trigger and dome. And finally a Dji Mavic Pro drone.
Favourite piece of gear ?
Definitely my Dji Mavic Pro. I have wanted a drone for years but they where too big , expensive and the technology just wasn’t there yet. Now I have a portable, flying, high-quality camera that’s small enough to put in a back pack and take anywhere.
What do you love about the Gold coast? What do you hate about the Gold coast?
I love the Gold Coast’s blend of city , beach and the hinterland. I hate how busy it’s getting these days though, but that’s why I start my days early! I get a few hours in at the beach before the rest of the Coast wakes up , then still have the rest of the day for whatever you want to do.
Are avocados overrated?
Definitely not overrated but definitely overpriced , but always worth it for with breakfast food and Mexican
Bacon and Eggs or Acai Bowl ?
Either one ! Depends if the surfs pumping I’ll have an açai bowl , it’s light so I can go back out after ! If it’s not then I’ll get bacon and eggs then have a nap on the beach
Check out more of Blaze's work on his Instagram and portfolio:
Spirit Island
Spirit Island
by Liam Costar
A place with an abundance of photos taken up ones Instagram feed, a must see location on a face book advert, a post card in a Canadian convenience store. Spirit island, Jasper, one of Canada’s many gems.
We had to see what the fuss was about…
Tourist boats cruise daily down maligne lake, filled with a magnitude of people from all over the world, all ready to snag that Instagram famous shot. We were a group of four Australians and one Canadian, the tourist boat just wasn’t an option.
At first, yeah it was a big hype to see spirit island but it became more and more about the experience and the trip out there. Two canoes and one kayak, entering the water at dawn. Visibility was zero, nothing but thick fog and the sound of our awes cutting through the lake. The vibe this was producing was some what eerie but yet surreal at the same time.
After paddling for hours, we really started to notice how small we truly were. By this time the fog had gradually lifted and the mountains had been reviled, it was truly a sight you’d have to see with your own eyes.
A few hours off dusk, we have the camp set up, the fire crackling and warming up our limbs. The howl of wolves echoes through the valley, a split second your mind starts to freak and think how close was that? But then you appreciate how special that is, you sure realise how far from home you really are now.
Spirit island is just around the bend from camp, one last paddle before dark starts to set in. Not a tourist boat in sight, not one bit of breeze to be felt on the skin just pure calmness, something that money can’t buy you. It was as if we were staring at one big mirror, that took in the whole of what the eye could see. Spirit island was truly a gem but to experience it and having it all to our selves was truly something unforgettable.
Words and photography by Liam Costar
A Place very far away from home
I didn't travel to the Lofoten islands for comfort.
I slept in a car for nine days just so I could choose to wake up to what ever view I wanted. Waking up with snow covered beaches surrounded by mountains that encompassed the whole of the coast line, hundreds of sea gulls amongst red cabins constructed right on the fjords and slithers of green aurora snake through the sky. These are some of the sights you will find yourself experiencing when you sleep out in the elements.
Sounds all good and well but you have to be prepared for the weather. Consistent sub zero degree weather, wind so strong that it’ll instantly feel like it’s cracking your lips, ice covered roads after the constant snow storms that’ll leave you shivering. But all this can change in thirty minutes, going from thinking you have a great chance to see the northern lights to have a sky full of black cloud moments away from consuming all the blue sky you can see.
I originally traveled to northern Norway (Lofoten) solo but upon my arrival on the ferry across the sea to the islands, I met a backpacker from Slovakia, who joined me on my trip for 3 days.
“He was in search of an alternate lifestyle, a new life.”
I drove him around to small harbours where he was in search of a job on a fishing vessel. His last day with me came around and he departed with a text message saying that they have a job for him so a new adventure had opened up for him.
I continued my trip in search for visual gems to photograph. I found myself stopping nearly every twenty minutes as the landscape was so rugged but yet beautiful as array of colour from the mountains, to the snow, to the blue ocean, all in a single frame. This trip was visually breathtaking.
The Lofoten islands, a place very far away from home.
The Gem of the Indian Ocean
The Gem of the Indian Ocean
by Daniel Chafer
From a young age, I’ve been fascinated with this teardrop-shaped island and its endless possibilities…
Sri Lanka was the ideal country to experience and document its unique cultural hidden beauty. The balmy waters of the Indian Ocean and offshore trade winds made the sea conditions flawless for barrels. With a combination of picturesque coastlines and forest scenery in a tropical climate filled with fascinating natural treasures, I found myself surrounded by people that believed happiness was the vital key in life. The sole driving reason behind this journey was to escape real life duties. To pursue the goal of searching for what lies beyond the fences and encouraged to go beyond the horizon! It’s difficult in our modern day living to find yourself, in a destination free from rules or restrictions. So we tend to grasp the guidelines and only live through our Social Media.
We aimed to beat the Christmas crowds and arrive in Sri Lanka at the end of March to catch the last of the South West swell season. After discussing with 4 good friends in different time zones around the world, they too were searching for something different. We came up with a date and all arrived with the anticipation of finding a car that was up for the Sri Lankan road trip. We found “Betsy” not far from Colombo airport. It was an old beat up Jeep that was used in the Civil War that lasted for 18 years between the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankans. If you’re not used to driving on skinny roads with the potential for head on collisions, then stick to the Tuk Tuks. It was nice to not rely on IPhones or navigational systems to get around, as getting lost with maps lead us to some of our best experiences!
It was time to go searching for waves. That’s what we were here for!
The only plan at this point was to head south to Hikkaduwa. The drive was far from boring, as the windy roads took us through a maze of villages, only to arrive to a tropical paradise of palms along the coastal road. Throughout the next week we experienced such a cultural shock, beauty, kindness and the graciousness from the Sri Lankans. Dinner was always a highlight! Throughout the day most of the Banta in the surf was either about how fast it left your body, or how good the aromatic spice-rich food tasted without eating with a knife or fork! The cuisine typically consisted of Beautiful spices, Fresh seafood, coconut rice, and large bowls of vegetables. The roti’s dipped in their Mango Chutney were to die for!
Pumping waves and picturesque coastlines aren’t the only thingSri Lanka has to offer. Its mountainous interior has amphitheaters of lush green Tea fields that are usually crammed with locals filling bags or hampers of Sri Lanka’s finest tealeaves. Exploring the hillside country never made you feel alone because you would always bump into someone that was always happy to guide you in the right direction.
One of the highlights of our trip was arriving at Coconuts Beach in Midigama one afternoon. We had driven down on to the sand to catch the sunset. While getting out of the car, loads of street dogs surrounded us. We all looked at each other in shock as to what was going on. One of the dogs had something in its mouth but couldn’t see clearly as it was covered in sand. All the locals started coming out of their village to witness a true moment. Baby turtles started hatching from a nest under the car and the dogs where trying to eat them while making their dash to the ocean. With so many people there we were able to form a wall and watch over a 100 turtles take their first step into the Gem of the Indian Ocean.
After covering more then 1000 miles, our journey was coming to an end. It was time to give our lacerated reef cuts a break and head back to Australia. We were unhappy to leave but our memories of the island still get told around a good campfire today!
The best thing about Sri Lanka is it leaves you speechless. Then it turns you into a storyteller.
Words and Photography by Daniel Chafer
Ov.Collective – Jessica Cooper
After completing her Bachelors degree in Fine Art, majoring in photography she travelled world wide for exhibitions and publications of her work including London and Milan. Currently based on The Gold Coast, Australia, Jessica explores culture through food styling, fashion and portraiture.
Photographing skate culture with Saeed Rahbaran
"My name is Saeed Rahbaran and I'm an editorial and commercial photographer based in Las Vegas, Nevada."
How would you describe your photography style?
I would describe my photography as storytelling within cultures that I’m interested in. What’s great about getting older is your interests expand immensely, and for me, the most minuscule things I question or learn about outside of my comfort zone make me want to dive in and document with a camera.
How did you get into skate photography?
I got into skateboard photography the day I began taking pictures. I was 16 years old and had just experienced a severe concussion that put me in the hospital overnight. This was my second serious skate related injury that needed real medical attention and my parents were beyond furious, mostly scared and sad. At the time I thought they were jerks for wanting me to quit entirely, but now I totally understand how insane that must be for a parent to go through. But my life was skateboarding and there was no way to stop, so I bought a camera and told them thats what I’ll do instead. In the beginning it felt more like an excuse to be out secretly skateboarding, but once I learned the craft of documenting the tricks, I fell in love and haven’t stopped since.
Can you tell us what was happening in photo below?
This is a picture of Ryan Reyes in the rain just after trying to get a trick at a ditch here in Vegas. It was summertime and well over 100 degrees out, but clouds were rolling through all morning making it somewhat bearable to skate. While he was trying the trick it instantly cooled down, the wind picked up, and it started pouring rain. Total defeat by bad weather.
What do you usually say and do when someone takes a slam skating?
I usually say the standard, “are you ok?” Every slam is different and you usually know right away if something is seriously wrong. Once I know the skater is ok I think it's best to just give them some space.
Can you tell us what happened in the photo above?
Unlike my above answer, this describes a situation that triggers more than the “are you ok” statement. This is a photo of Ryan Spencer just moments after getting knocked out trying to boneless lipslide a rail in downtown LA. He clipped the rail and went face first into the rough asphalt, a complete freak accident seeing that he did the trick a few times prior. Everyone instantly gasped or blurted “holy shit.” He was knocked out for a few seconds, then got up and walked back with us to where we were sitting. I took this picture while he was trying to remember what happened. He must have repeated the same few things dozens of times, it was really scary. Luckily Ryan was ok, just a bad concussion and chewed up skin from the rough ground.
What is your favourite quote/saying?
Don’t condemn, criticize, or complain. A tough one to live by, but I’ve been doing my best!
What is your favourite cheap meal to cook?
Ramen! I add tons of veggies, lemon, and sriracha to spice it up. It’s delicious and quick to make.
What is your favourite Nintendo 64 or GameCube game?
I never really got into video games. I was always terrible at them and didn’t have the patience to learn each game. My big brother had a Nintendo 64 and I remember enjoying a snowboarding game and one of the race car games. I loved the fact that he would beat all the levels and I could mess around on all of them.
Head over to Saeed's website for more of his work and don't forget to follow him on Instagram for more epic shots and potential slams. Thanks for the chat legend!