As evening approaches, and clouds gather, the nomadic family that typically spends their spring seasons near this location in Mongolia has opened the paddock doors and let their livestock find food and rest in the surrounding landscape. Not far north of the Gobi desert, the terrain here is already giving way to the desert’s barren rockiness. Home to the hardiest grasses, succulents, and a smattering of saxaul trees, plus the fauna that can survive the harsh swings of the seasonal climates, it wards off most forms of permanent occupation.
What had earlier in the day been a raucous scene full of the snorting and bleating of the family’s camels, with calves penned safely as their mothers were milked and saddles removed from the bulls, is now empty and serene. Low chatter over bowls of airag and milk tea can be heard from the ger nearby, but the camels have long since wandered away for the night.
The only evidence that remains of the afternoon’s activity is a herding switch and red saddle from one of the camels, left draped over the paddock. Uncollected when the rest of the saddles, milk jugs, and tools were brought in for protection from the overnight elements.