Photographer Captures a Himalayan Monal Mid-Flight

In 2011, Dr. Sudhir Hasamnis was a self-described workaholic. With almost 12-hour work days, he had devoted 39 years of his life to one of the most respected industrial houses in India, where he held a management position. This lifestyle would sadly take a toll on his health, resulting in a heart attack. He luckily survived, but was told by his doctors to stay in bed for two months. A tireless mind, he used his time off to watch and photograph the birds that he saw from his window. What started as a way to cope turned into a passion. Now, his craft seems to have peaked with a striking picture Hasamnis took of a Himalayan Monal mid-flight.

Following his retirement in 2015, Hasamnis has become a full-time creative and has gone on photographic expeditions abroad, allowing him to capture unique local birds. One such trip took him to the Tharpaling Monastery in Bhutan, a place Hasamnis describes as sacred and serene, where he took this image. Located in the Chumey Valley, at an altitude of approximately 11,800 feet, it can get very cold—the area was 21°F and covered in snow when he visited, with icy winds sweeping across the landscape.

Hasamnis shares that the place is populated primarily by Buddhist monks, and as a result, most of the birds in the area move freely around the premises and are not afraid of humans. They allow photographers to snap photos of them in almost every possible pose. While he had taken some images of the Himalayan Monals there, he had not photographed one flying yet. Despite the cold, he got to work to achieve his dream shot.

“I noticed two Monals walking along the ridge of a deep valley. Anticipating a possible flight opportunity, I lay flat on the ground and removed the 2× teleconverter from my lens, shooting at a focal length of 300 mm. I guessed that if any monk appeared from the other side of the ridge, the Monals would take off and fly towards my side, directly into my frame,” Hasamnis tells My Modern Met. “I removed my right-hand glove and stayed ready, despite my fingers gradually turning numb from the cold. Nearly 20 minutes passed before it finally happened. A few monks walked along the opposite ridge, and the Monals took off. I began shooting immediately and managed to capture these images.”

The result is a breathtaking image of the Himalayan Monal, known for its bright plumage, flying over the towering mountains. The bird’s blue, green, purple, gold, and orange feathers shine in contrast with the cloudy blue-gray sky and the shades of dark green of the peaks.

“I hope this image encourages people to value and protect fragile mountain ecosystems,” Hasamnis adds.“This image represents freedom, hope, and renewal for me. Watching the Himalayan Monal in flight over the mountains reminds us that patience, respect for nature, and perseverance are always rewarded—with moments that lift both the spirit and the soul.”

Hasamnis has authored four books on wildlife, on top of carrying on with his record-achieving “SelfChallenge” on Facebook, where he has posted one wildlife photograph every day for over 10 years without ever breaking his streak. To stay up to date with his work, make sure to follow Dr. Sudhir Hasamnis on Facebook and Instagram.