ya don't see this every day!

[Tim Allwood]

On a recent trip to North-East India , myself, Dave Showler and Claire Stephenson were walking on the Sandakphu trek and coming down thru some beautiful forest towards a spot called Garibas (sometimes Gairibans) whenb one our porters spotted a Red Panda in trees quite close. This was easily the best 'bird' of the trip and had us in a right flap for ages as very few people have seen one.

I was so intent on watching the thing that i only got one photo thru a handheld coolpix and unfortunately the thing was looking the other way at the time.....but here it is any way. A Gorgeous animal.

I will be posting a full trip report soon detailing the wonderful birds, cold nights, great curries, Hayward's Super Strong Beer B (: and Claire getting lost in the pitch black, foggy hill forest for a few hours one night and scaring us rigid. :eek!: Had visions of making the next tales of a tribe for all the wrong reasons but we found her in the end......

[Grousemore]

Nice to have you back posting,Tim...I've been looking forward to reading your trip report as India is on my shortlist.
Not sure what happened to the pic you attached?

[Tim Allwood]

Hi Trevor

the pic is ok i think
the Panda is the rufous thing in the middle with it's long tail hanging down....you can just see its white ear top left. It's a poor pic but we were very excited....

[Colin]

Tim,
Even though you pic is perhaps not the sharpest in the world, it still portrays this as a seriously beautiful animal in it colour. It must rank as one of your most rare 'ticks'? Congratulations on seeing it.

[Rasmus Boegh]

This was easily the best 'bird' of the trip and had us in a right flap for ages as very few people have seen one.

Wow, that surely is the "bird" of the trip ;) What an amazing experiance that must have been (I'll show it to my g/f, surely she would join me on a birding trip to India then...)
- And you call the thread "ya don't see this everey day!"... well, more like every human lifetime! Honestly, I'd have to admit that I do envy you a bit...

Amazing and congratulations!

[Tim Allwood]

cheers Rasmus
we were really very very lucky I feel
makes up for not tracking down a Purple Cochoa

[Edward]

Superb animal, Tim, suitably envious. And Derby avoided relegation, a good month for you. Have you ever seen a Tiger on one of your trips to India?

E

[Tim Allwood]

Superb animal, Tim, suitably envious. And Derby avoided relegation, a good month for you. Have you ever seen a Tiger on one of your trips to India?

E

Had a close encounter with a Tiger in Sumatra Ed.

One was very near to the main loop trail at Way Kanan with a kill and would growl if approached. Trouble was you could only hear it at a point on the trail the location of which meant you had to go back past the tiger to return to the camp.

Scary :eek!:

[Edward]

But incredibly thrilling, Tim. What a privilege.

E

[Jane Turner]

Had a close encounter with a Tiger in Sumatra Ed.

One was very near to the main loop trail at Way Kanan with a kill and would growl if approached. Trouble was you could only hear it at a point on the trail the location of which meant you had to go back past the tiger to return to the camp.

Scary :eek!:

Isn't that what loops are for... how far was it? I'd have been tempted..... that or a bypass manouver!

[jimmyjames]

Red Panda tastes great. But should I eat the meat in India?

[Andrew]

That's a cool 'sighting' Tim.

Here's how I would be if I was with you...In a flap over the Panda and subsequently cosmically mind fooked if I managed a pic too then later in the evening supping the Hayward's and thinking "Hey this is the best bit of the day!". Always happy with a pint of good strong ale in my hand.

[Mabel]

Nice one, Tim! One of my favourite animals!

[matt green]

I have to confess, I had to google for a pic of one of these animals - not a reflection of Tims record shot btw!

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with these creatures (like me!), heres a pic (hope no one minds) of one I found on the net, with that gorgeous tail!!

Matt

[Helenelizabeth2]

Coincidentally my son, 8, was just talking about how when he grows up he wants to be a zoologist so that he can travel to see rare animals like the Red Panda! I was able to show him the pics on this thread and he was thrilled. Thanks, guys.

Looking forward to reading about the rest of the trip, Tim.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Looking forward to reading about the rest of the trip, Tim.

Wow! That was quick Tim ;)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=17530&highlight=india

[Helenelizabeth2]

Wow! That was quick Tim ;)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=17530&highlight=india

How funny. Spent a few minutes wondering what the hell you were on about then looked at the dates! What made someone resurrect this now then?

*looks below and realises it was loony 'Panda-eating post' that woke it up again - most bizarre*