Some of the most incredible photographs I have ever seen. The harsh climate conditions, children riding saddle-less with golden eagles perched on their arms. Photojournalist Claire Thomas took these photos after spending three years in Iraq, covering the war with the Islamic State.

Mongolia Eagle Hunters Photo Essay

More photos from Claire Thomas from her years in Iraq. Ineffable.

Claire Thomas' Photojournalism

A photographer describes his experience and the bond that the hunters have with their eagles. 

> Although eagles can live for thirty years, the hunters keep each one for only about ten years, then release it to live out its last years in the wild. The bird is taken far away, and the hunter sometimes has to hide, or wait for darkness, to keep it from following him home. When Mohan talked to Shuinshi, in 2012, the old man had released his last eagle the year before.

He quotes Shuinshi:

> It was as if a member of my family had left. I think about what that eagle is doing; if she’s safe, and whether she can find food and make a nest. Have her hunts been successful? Sometimes I dream about these things.

Eagle Hunters- New Yorker

A 30 minute documentary about the Kazakh golden eagle hunters in Mongolia. The hunters describe their relationships and training techniques with the eagles. The birds are beautiful, the people are beautiful.

Eagle Hunters Doc

A two-minute Red Bull produced video about the eagle hunters- they strap cameras on to the eagles for some neat footage.

Eagle Hunters- Red Bull

Not read- For the supremely interested, this book is widely acknowledged as the best description of the people, birds, and culture of falconry of the Kazakh people of Mongolia.

Eagle Dreams

Not watched- A documentary of a 13-year old girl who trains to be the first female eagle hunter to compete in the Mongolian eagle festival.

The Eagle Huntress

So there exists a small group of Kazakh nomadic people who live in Mongolia and hunt with eagles- there was an incredible photo essay in the NYT that inspired this.

Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia

Feb 26, 2021 • 7 blocks •

nytimes.com

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clairethomasphotography.com

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newyorker.com

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youtube.com

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youtube.com

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google.com

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imdb.com

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