Yeshey Dorji
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Yeshey Dorji is a pioneering Bhutanese photographer, ornithologist, writer, and blogger considered one of the first professional photographers in Bhutan. He has authored eight books, including a landmark coffee table book on Bhutan's wild birds, and his image of the rarest heron is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Yeshey Dorji is a Bhutanese professional photographer, ornithologist, numismatist, historian, and writer who is widely regarded as one of the first and most respected photographers in Bhutan. His work spans wildlife photography, cultural documentation, blogging, and book authorship, and he has played a significant role in introducing Bhutan's natural heritage to international audiences. His photographic works have appeared in publications and exhibitions in Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, India, and Indonesia.[1]
Dorji began photographing as a novice in the 1980s and turned professional in 2008. That same year, he published his first book, a coffee table volume on the wild birds of Bhutan that brought him national and international recognition. He has since authored or edited a total of eight books, covering subjects ranging from ornithology to Bhutanese culture. His blog, Druk Yuel: Land of the Bhutanese People, is one of Bhutan's most widely read online publications, covering topics including tourism, the environment, culture, and national affairs.[2]
Photography Career
Dorji's journey into professional photography began in the 1980s, when cameras and photographic equipment were scarce in Bhutan. Over two decades as an amateur, he developed a keen eye for the kingdom's landscapes, wildlife, and cultural ceremonies, building a body of work that documented aspects of Bhutanese life rarely captured on film. His decision to turn professional in 2008 coincided with the publication of Bhutan Birds, which established his credentials as both a photographer and a naturalist.[3]
His photograph of the world's rarest heron is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, a distinction that brought international attention to both his work and Bhutan's remarkable avian biodiversity. His images have also appeared in the specialised publication 100 Birds One Must See Before Dying. As a wildlife photographer, Dorji has contributed to the documentation and conservation awareness of bird species found across Bhutan's diverse ecological zones, from subtropical lowland forests to high-altitude alpine meadows.[4]
Ornithology
Bhutan is home to more than 700 recorded bird species, owing to its dramatic altitudinal range and varied habitats. Dorji has been instrumental in documenting this avian diversity through both photography and written works. His book Bhutan Birds is organised by dzongkhag (district), with each chapter providing a brief natural history of the region before showcasing photographic plates of birds in their natural habitats. The volume serves as both a field guide and a celebration of Bhutan's ornithological richness.[5]
Dorji's ornithological work has contributed to broader efforts to catalogue and protect Bhutan's wildlife. The kingdom, which has enshrined environmental conservation in its constitution, maintains more than 50 percent of its land area as protected forest, providing critical habitat for many rare and endemic species.
Writing and Blogging
Beyond his photographic work, Dorji is a prolific writer and one of Bhutan's most prominent bloggers. His blog, Druk Yuel: Land of the Bhutanese People, has been active for over a decade and covers a wide range of subjects, including commentary on national policy, tourism development, environmental issues, and cultural traditions. The blog has attracted a substantial readership both within Bhutan and among the international community interested in Bhutanese affairs.[6]
Dorji has authored or edited eight books in total. His publications span wildlife photography, cultural documentation, and popular non-fiction about Bhutanese life. He is also a numismatist with expertise in the history of Bhutanese coinages, a subject on which he has been working on a dedicated book.[7]
Additional Interests
Dorji's interests extend well beyond photography and ornithology. He is a recognised numismatist, studying the coinages and monetary history of Bhutan. He also has an interest in Bhutanese history and has written on various aspects of the kingdom's past. His multifaceted expertise has made him a valued commentator on Bhutanese cultural heritage and a regular participant in national discussions about conservation and development.
References
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