We have travelled over 3000km with the colostomy bag set up on Josephine , thankful for every kilometre. But it cannot continue indefinitely and with the tireless help of SW Motech a replacement motor is on its way from Germany to Kyrgyzstan.
While we wait for this we decide to travel right around Lake Issyk- Kol , the second largest Alpine lake in the world. And it is here, on its south shores that we are fortune to have one of those chance encounters that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
We meet Talgar, a horseback hunter who forms a remarkable bond with a Golden eagle named Tamara.
Raising eagles is a labour of love and a tradition that has been passed down over the generations.
Their relationship started nine years ago with Tamara, a young chick, being sung ballads by Talgar. The sound of his voice becomes imprinted on the bird and forms a union between the two.
Together they hunt not for profit but as a tradition that is underscored by a need to provide food and pelts when required.
Here are a few pictures of our meeting.
The local eagle hunter Talgar & his companion, Tumara.
Have a remarkable bond.
…
That has been nurtured since she was a chick 9 years earlier.
Tumara is released to seek prey.
It is impossible not to feel pity for this hare.
With an eyesight for prey a few kilometeres away, it did not stand a chance.
…
…
She holds her prey and calls Talgar with shrill tones .
Depending on the prey she must either release it for Talgars use or is allowed to consume it.
Today she is fortunate.
Her powerful beak…
… and talons make short work of this meal. These talons have taken two years to recover after she hunted down a wolf.
…
Hares are apparently low in cholestrol which is not good for Tamara.
Talgar decides that she has had enough.
… which becomes a battle of wills between the two.
The only way he is going to win this one is to attempt to put her hood back on.
Which is not going to be easy as Tamara hangs on doggedly to her prey.
She simply will not give up, even with her hood on.
Every relationship I guess has these standoff moments.
Talgar finally manages to wrestle away what’s left of the hare.
A peck to make up.
Is returned with Talgar removing debris from her beak.
And we are even allowed to get into the act.
At 7 kg she is not light though.
It must be hearbreaking for Talgar to know that…
… when Tamara reaches 20 years old she will be released back into the wild to breed and their bond will be permantely broken.
hey that is supercool. I am really enjoying your travels.
Nice, but as a matter of interest – why wait 20 years before she’ll be set free. Why not earlier or never? Or is it that the eagle is only then mature??
I am not sure why 20 years but we had difficulty understanding each other given the language barriers.
Talgar however seemed pretty clear on this one though!
Wow, what an amazing experience. Treasure the memory.
What fantastic pictures What a majestic bird What an unbelievable bond And as you say what an unforgetable experience.
Talgar and Tamara could become the subjects of a beautiful poem. This is a fantastic meeting beautifully described and with fantastic photos. Gail
One has never seen anything like this in their life and at such nearness! Fantastic that you were able to get all this information in such detail as your knowledge of Kyrgisz must have been less than basic. I have read about Marco Polo’s journeys that Jenghis Khan and his travelling court also hunted, I suppose with falcons and cheetas, but this was an Eagle! Jan
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.
– Couldn’t resist these lyrics from my favorite Psalm as you bring your spectacular journey to its conclusion.
wow, only saw that on television
What a great experience to be so close up with a majestic bird!!!! You really have had amazing experiences- will really be difficult to settle down to mundane 9-5 jobs- but then again we don’t think you guys have ever been ordinary. We think you epitomise Asara wine estates motto: Out with the ordinary. Well done on a WOW trip.
Love Amelia and Wendy
amazing to share these experiences! travel safely!