Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Swift-foot and Bürkit

For thousand of years, eagles became a valuable hunting companion across the northern steppes from Eurasia to China. It was fundamental for the acquisition of food and furs in the harsh, unforgiving winter months.“Our ancestors had two comrades,” goes the old Kazakh saying,“swift-foot and bürkit”(fine horse and eagle). Here is Eagle Hunter Jenisbek Tserik, a Multi-title champion in Horse Wrestling.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Sagsai, Mongolia
Camera: NIKON D5300
Copyright: © Apostolos Kaloudis