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Into the Gobi


Into the Gobi
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-09
Categories: Mammals, Desert
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-06 4:01
Viewed: 1598
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is an uncropped, scanned slide. It was taken in late afternoon, after a long drive through the desert.

Bactrian camels are over 2 meters (7 feet) tall at the hump and weigh in excess of 725 kg (1,600 lb). They are herbivores, eating grass, leaves, and grains, capable of drinking up to 120 litres (32 US gallons) of water at a time. In the wilds of Mongolia, this is usually in the form of ice or snow eaten in small but frequent amounts. Their mouths are extremely tough, allowing them to eat thorny desert plants like asparagus.

They are supremely adapted to protect themselves against the desert heat and sand, with wide, padded feet and thick leathery pads on the knees and chest, nostrils that can open and close, ears lined with protective hairs, and bushy eyebrows with two rows of long eyelashes. Thick fur and underwool keep the animal warm during cold desert nights and also insulate against daytime heat.

Bactrian camels have two coats: the warm inside coat of down and a rough outer coat which is long and hairy. They shed their fibre in clumps consisting of both coats, which can be gathered and separated. They produce approximately 7 kg (15 lb) of fiber annually. The fibre structure is similar to cashmere wool. The down is usually 2 to 8 cm (1–3 inches) long. While camel down does not felt easily, it may be spun into a yarn for knitting.

The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) is the only other surviving camel, native to the Sahara desert, but today is extinct in the wild. By comparison, the Bactrian camel is a stockier, hardier animal able to survive the scorching desert heat of northern Iran to the frozen winters in Tibet. The Dromedary is taller and faster, and with a rider it can maintain 8–9 mph for hours at a time. A loaded Bactrian Camel moves at about 2.5 mph. Bactrian camels are also found in Hunder Sand Dunes in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. There are approx 2000 camels in Nubra.
PaulH, gracious, nglen, haraprasan, JORAPAVI, horia, Adanac, Heaven has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi James
great landscape and lovely compo
great
tfs
tom

James,

What a great picture of the Bactrian desert. Excellent composition. The tracks leading into the vast background is just wonderful. Nice colors too.

John

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2007-10-06 5:18]

Hi James,
you can just feel the aridness of this environment here..are those tracks created by the camels or people? Huge sense of depth, great shot.
tfs and have a good weekend
Paul

hello james,
beautiful landscape, i liked the pov and the earthen tones very much, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hello James,
What a majastic view of the Gobi desert and the vastness of it!
good pov with great sense of depth, sharpness, vivid colour and details
really thank you for the full information on the Bactrian camel with their capability in the desert!
thanks for sharing
have a wonderful week ahead!
Tony

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658] (32266)
  • [2007-10-06 9:57]

Hi James. What a landscape with a great compostion. good natural colours . good notes oabout the Camel. well done TFs.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-10-06 12:25]

I love all these scanned slides from you :D
Another great shot of another landscape with another group of animals.
+++ Perfectly horizontal horizon. Great sharpness and detail. Good composition. Lovely golden lighting.
--- Nothing :)
Well done,
Joe

Hi James,
It is nice that seeing beautiful landscape and subject from famous desert of another country. Great composition. Bactrian camels also very nice subject with desert. Focus, POV and informative notes very nice.
TFS
have a nice Sunday
Ahmet

fantastci lanscape, TFS ori

Hello James,
A strong feeling of loneliness in the vast plains!
Interesting composition with the camels, and I notice the different tracks leading across the plains...
Minimalistic and interesting!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi James,
A very good desert view along with its dwellers. Although it is scanned it looks very nice to eyes. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hola James,
Bonita composición de este bello paisaje desértico, preciosa luz y color, saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2173 W: 220 N: 4384] (14904)
  • [2007-10-08 3:37]

Hi James

No need to appologize...i'me even more late than you :)
This is a terrific landscape with an impressive perspective. I raelly like how from this POV one can see the flatness of the ground there in the Gobi.
The mountains in the distance act great as a barrier to the horizon and the camels in the FG give a nice attention point there, too.
Lovely work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-08 21:02]

Hello James

A National Geographic like image.The composition is excellent with lovely vivid colour saturation.The POV is excellent.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2007-10-09 2:42]

Hi James,
Just marking this post and will be back with a proper critique. Facing internet problem, hence doing a short job.
Regards.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2007-10-09 14:23]

Hello James,
What a vast open country you present in this great composition. The Camels are a hardy breed to be sure. Great posting and notes thanks James.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 811 W: 108 N: 1736] (6060)
  • [2007-10-09 23:40]

Hi James!

I love that picture because I associate it with souvenirs concerning my job: I was a specialist of camels! When I interviewed people coming from Mauritania and if I had to determine if they really were from there, I sometimes also asked them a couple of questions about the camel...

I like the composition of the picture that accentuates the depth and the lonliness of the desert.

Kind regards

Markus

Hi James - I like this shot. I like the trails leading into and away from the camels into the mountains and the cloud layer that mimics the shape of the mountains. Very nice, - romantic, nostalgic. Makes me wonder what the dots are on the horizon just in front of the mountains. I'd love to go to Mongolia, it seems to beckon me, especially for the nomads that hunt with eagles - if there are any left.

It's interesting, your photos call me to travel.

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