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Bayan Bulak Natural Grassland


Bayan Bulak Natural Grassland
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 0 N: 4626] (13756)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-19
Categories: Mountain
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-13 11:17
Viewed: 972
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Bayan Bulak grasslands are situated at the foot of Tianshan Mountain in the northwest of Hejing County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China (ie The far west - close to Kazakstan). The Bayanbulak Grassland is a great high-alpine prairie/pasture boasting luxuriant verdant grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants (though with considerably lower variety of species compared to the lower pastures and those of Alpine Europe). They are the second largest grassland in China.

Bayanbulak means 'abundant spring' in Mongolian. As it is a far-flung and level prairie, it abounds in varieties of grass, and is studded with numerous lakes, large and small, and is surrounded by mountains. The grassland teems with Yanqi Tianshan horses, Bayabulak dawei (large tail) sheep, Chinese meilinu sheep and yak (otherwise known as the 'tableland tank'), known as its 'Four Treasures', but also a wide variety of natural wildlife which exists side-by-side. I saw two species of crane, Black Storks, Ruddy Shellduck and Tundra Swan - most at a distance.

In midsummer, flowers are in full bloom and yurts - circular domed tents used by Mongolian nomads - stud the landscape .

The well-known Swan Lake is located in the prairie. In fact it is many small lakes and is the only nature reserve for swans in China. Every year, around April, swans and other rare birds return from the south to live and breed here.

I took this view shortly after sunrise. Though July, the temperature had fallen below freezing and as the sun rose the frost thawed and evaporated, forming the mist in the picture.

I took several shots but decided to post this one as the yurts and herds give a better impression of scale.
delic, ramthakur, simon182, SunToucher, saeedabbasi, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • trinko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 610 W: 83 N: 324] (4310)
  • [2007-03-13 11:21]

nice vista the animals add a sense of size and the haze is interesting.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 1 N: 3970] (13358)
  • [2007-03-13 11:30]
  • [+]

Hi James,
Beautiful panoramic view of some amazing mountains, the sheep herd and rider on the right and the camp on the left add scale to these mountains. Is that smoke in the valley from the camp? Great capture , thanks for sharing.
Rick

Stunningly beautiful.
Greetings from Greece
Phil

Hello James
What a great landscape,
Excellent colors and compo,
Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-03-13 12:26]

Beautiful mountainscape, James. I agree with your decision to include many distinct elements in the picture. The morning mist, the yurts and the herd make this all more attractive. Very well done. Regards,
Hakan

Hello James.

Excellent picture, nice composition and colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

A grand view of these magnificent mountains in far-western China, James.
A lofty perspective from which that white summit peeking over the bare ones looks mysteriously enticing.
The flock of sheep and a couple of tents in mid distance provide a perfect matrix for judging the mamoth size of those mountains.
The low wispy mist over the plain also adds a beautiful touch to this wonderful landscape.
Thanks for sharing this great image.
Ram

Hi James,
This is a stunning landscape capture!
You managed so well the excellent light there.
The effect of the visible mist is very good.
The presence of the animals at the back makes a good sense of the proportions here.
I like the greens got on the mountains.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

This is a very interesting shot James.

The medium crop is effective and that mist is amazing. The low light has caused splendid shadows in the mountain. I like that you have included the sheep herd to show us the scale of the mountain we would be lost without this.

Very impressed with the range and localities of your photographs James, keep it up!

TFS
Simon

Hello James,
Beautiful mountains and the tad of fog really enhances the impression!
They are no main elements in the composition, but I cannot help notice the tents and herd in far distance...
A very attractive composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi James,
I like the fact that you included the yurts and herd, since it clearly shows us the size of the mountians and the vast open space of this prairie. The fog in the valley gives the photo a kind of mysterious look. A wonderful photo that sure doesn't come close to standing there for real. I am sure it made you feel small.
TFS,
Niek

Hi James ,
nice image with great composition.
nice colours and great details.
Regards
Saeed

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1116 W: 0 N: 1835] (7840)
  • [2007-03-14 6:58]

Hi James,
You show us such a wondeful landscape, presented in a beautiful light and animated by a flock of sheep. I have just to look.. this is the kind of landscape I prefer. Thank's so much.
Best regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • kona Silver Star Critiquer [C: 37 W: 3 N: 0] (865)
  • [2007-03-14 8:01]

Hi James
amazing tones. marvelous composition. a delight.Great shot , very nice tones lighting ..Congratulations! Best wishes, kona

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