Photo and caption by catherine chung

In late autumn, the endangered and revered black-necked cranes migrate from Tibet to their winter home in Pobjhika Valley, a vast glacial valley at 2900m. Their arrival inspires great joy and emotion. Sitting atop the valley, Gangte Monastery hosts the annual Black-necked crane festival. Shy monks here perched on their balcony overlooking the courtyard, enjoying an all-day pageantry of folk songs and dances in honor of their heavenly guests.

Location: Gangte Monastery, Bhutan