I have never seen them closer or more often from above. At least four species of vultures, Tawny Eagles, Augur Buzzards, harriers and Lanner Falcons all used the updrafts for hunting and migrating. Our other wildlife sightings included the endemic Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons. Gelada, also known as Bleeding Heart Baboons, are very numerous and easy to approach. These gentle vegetarian primates spend the nights on the cliff faces and come out along the escarpments to graze during the day.
Males have huge, finely-groomed manes and make very attractive photography subjects.
In the course of our trek, we probably saw 1500 animals. The ibex are much shyer, but we did find quite a few by scanning the near vertical cliffs with binoculars. Wildflowers abound in this area and we seemed to be here at the peak of the blooming season. Sunbirds and white-billed starlings were often feeding on the blossoms. Our main destination of the trek was Mt. Imetgogo, a 13,000' peak with a commanding view of the whole Simien Range and the gorge at its western edge.