ID Please

Spotted during our Himalayan trekking. It looked quite friendly and posed for the shot.

Camera & settings: Nikon D300s & 500mm f/4 VR + TC14E
f/5.6, 1/250, ISO-500 and hand-held.

I think this is a Himalayan Mouse Hare Ochotona roylei. Nice sighting. I have not seen many shots of this species. Lovely image, it depicts some of the habitat as well. A very good job considering you were hand-holding! What was the exact location of the find?
From S.H.Prater: They are found in open areas, living under rocks and stone piles, and also in forests where they burrow under the roots of trees. "Their timid interest in the traveller is sometimes the only cheerful incident during long marches over the desolate boulder-strewn wastes :D".

This is the best picture of this species I have seen:) A rare sighting according a few friends of mine..

Tfs

Lovely photograph. You got it quite close. The details and the sharpness is nice. Good eye contact. Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.

Abhishek, Thanks for sharing the details.

Awesome shot Dileep. Great eye contact and details. Loved the tongue coming out. Thanks for sharing

Regards,
Atul

Simply Splendid.A true Naturalist's gift to us.Agree with observations made.Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

Thanks friends for your feedbacks. Abhishek, appreciate your assistance with the ID, and your descriptions were spot on.

It was seen near Bernal Bugyal (Meadow) which is located on the trekking route of Barsu - Dayara.

We happened to spot this one first and while trying to photograph it, another three more popped out of the rocks. All looked quite calm and sat watching our actions. Never seen anything so friendly in the wild. May be we need to thank the people of Barsu for treating them well.

Wow! Lovely image Dileep, I hadn't see this before. The details and the eye contact have come out well. Great work!
tfs

Lovely! I had not expected a "Id please" request in mammals. Naturally it has to be something special.

Good that you found a side profile to click. The low angle is also nice. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Nice shot of this rarity. Well composed nice clean bg and good details.

TFS
Roopak

Indeed Splendid