On the last day on Kazakhstan as we drove from oasis to oasis, birding spot to birding spot, I was amazed at how variable and beautiful the landscape was.  On one ride in the van of a little over an hour we went from semi-desert to some hilly country back out to flat desert steppe.  The sun was mostly shining but there were plenty of clouds to help make the sky dramatic and the ever-changing scenery was a marvel.  My camera spent more time sticking out the window than most dog’s heads do on a long car ride!  It was great and I wanted to share some of those images, so here, without further ado, are 10 Views from a Van Driving in Kazakhstan.

I hope you liked looking at these shots as much as I liked taking them!

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My trip to Kazakhstan was made possible by the wonderful folks at Swarovski Optik who sponsored the trip not only to draw attention to their marvelous optics but to the fact that Swarovski Optik is, with the RSPB, the Species Champion for the Sociable Lapwing, a critically endangered species that breeds almost entirely in Kazakhstan. We here at 10,000 Birds, the only blog designated a Species Champion by BirdLife International, salute Swarovski Optik‘s commitment to conservation.

To learn more about 10,000 Birds’ commitment to conservation through BirdLife International’s Species Champion program and what it means to us at 10,000 Birds (or to donate to the program through 10,000 Birds) just click on the nice Species Champion logo to the right.