03-AUG-2012
Island Lake Trailhead
The hike to Island Lake is a somewhat challenging (due to high altitude) two mile uphill walk with several switchbacks. It took me about 50 minutes to arrive to the lake level and another 20 minutes off trail to scramble to my selected vantage point. I carried in my daypack the Canon 7D with the 400mm and 15-85mm lenses and the Canon 18X IS binoculars (12 lbs).
31-JUL-2012
Island Lake view
View of Island Lake from my selected vantage point. I was perhaps about 150-200 ft above the lake well above the last stand of trees.
31-JUL-2012
Cirque above Island Lake
My arrival to this location coincided with a beautiful sunrise. I had the whole place to myself. Soon after my arrival I started to hear the Himalayan Snowcocks calling from two separate locations in the cirque. This went on for about 30 minutes of slowing scanning the cirque with my Canon 18X IS binoculars.
31-JUL-2012
Himalayan Snowcock
I almost gave up looking for these birds. It was frustating to hear them but not too see them. Finally, I was able to spot 3 birds foraging for food. My best guess is that the birds (which looked like moving rocks) were about half a mile away. I located the birds with the binoculars first and them pointed the camera with the 400mm lens in that general direction. This is a 100% crop of one of the best images that I took (click on the image to see it larger).
31-JUL-2012
Himalayan Snowcock
I continued to observe them for 30 minutes and heard them vocalize twice during that span of time. I also heard calls from another location but could not locate that bird(s). I was hoping for a flyover but it never happened while I was there.
08-AUG-2012
Himalayan Snowcock
Two of the best pictures. 100% crops.
About 200 ft over Island Lake. Heard first and then located with binoculars.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S11323884
31-JUL-2012
Island Lake Information Sign
This informational sign is posted at the end of the Island Lake Trail.
31-JUL-2012
Island Lake View
Other birds seen at Island Lake were Clark's Nutcracker, Dusky Flycatcher, Chipping Sparrow, Golden Eagle and Cassin's Finch.
