Lammergeier scape

Just back from a trekking trip to Tirthan Valley and the Great Himalayan National Park. Thought I'd start the posts with this one, a very unique bird I've waited to see ever since I first saw it in books. :)
An immature lammergeier (bearded vulture) soaring above Deodar forests in the Tirthan valley, with the Asurbag meadow (presently snow-covered) in the background. Clicked from Shilt (elevation 3100m). Exposing for this image was tough due to the bright glare off the snow and the dark colours of the bird.

Canon 500D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/1000
Av 5.6
EC +0.3
ISO 400
Cropped from the top to remove hints of sky

Thanks, C&C welcome.

So back from US and immediately off to Himalayas :)?

A very rare sighting of this majestic bird. The snow covered peaks and the tall Deodar trees in the background look nice. Nice environment composition. Look forward to more from Himalayan National Park. Thanks for sharing.

Lovely image. Great to have you back.
The image has a lovely feel. The part above the snowline is a little distracting. You can consider cropping till the point where the trees start.

Thanks for Sharing.

Mrudul: I was craving some Indian wildlife! :)
Bibhav: Thanks, I agree with the crop suggestion.

Happy to see it through your camera. I am away for most of the month on assignment and then find a series of shots of various wilderness areas. If I ever need to bargain with God for living more number of years on this earth, then it has to be to see these amazing wilderness areas again and again.

I agree with Bibhav's crop suggestion. Watching this majestic bird with a massive wing span in such beautiful surroundings must be a spiritually uplifting feeling. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

super. agree on the crop suggestion.
TFS
Roopak