From SLR rifles to DSLR cameras

After a 26-year career in the Nepali Army, former Colonel Sudeep KC has found a new calling in wildlife photography. The 58-year-old now applies the same discipline, patience, and precision honed through years of military service to capturing Nepal's natural beauty through his camera lens.

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I have sighted more than 630 bird species in the wild. But because of timing, weather conditions and physical limitations, I have not been able to photograph all of them.

KC retired from the army in 2019 and has since dedicated himself to documenting Nepal's birds, mammals, and landscapes. His interest in conservation began during military postings to national parks, where he worked alongside park officials and conservationists, deepening his appreciation for the country's biodiversity. He has photographed 595 bird species in Nepal, with a personal sighting record of over 630.

His expertise in locating elusive species and working in difficult conditions has earned him acclaim both domestically and internationally. Photographers from abroad now seek his guidance for tracking wildlife in Nepal. One of his most significant achievements was capturing a clear image of the Himalayan Monal, Nepal's national bird, within Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, an effort that required extensive tracking and persistence. He believes he was the first wildlife photographer to document the species within the Kathmandu Valley.

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Capturing a clear image of the Monal required the greatest effort and persistence. I had been tracking the bird for a long time.

KC spends a significant portion of his year traveling across Nepal, from the Tarai plains to the high Himalayas, to photograph a wide array of wildlife. His portfolio includes grassland species, migratory birds, forest dwellers, and farmland birds. His expeditions have also taken him to Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, where he documented an additional 378 bird species.

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We had walked through dense forest for nearly four hours and were completely exhausted. Just as we were about to turn back disappointed, the bird appeared right in front of us. Others with me also saw it, but I managed to frame and capture it first.