The Ripleys in India (1976)

Ornithologist and eighth Smithsonian Secretary (1964-1984) S. Dillon Ripley (1913-2001) and Mary Livingston Ripley (d. 1996) are pictured here standing in front of four elephants with their drivers seated on each. Dr Ripley made a trip to India in 1976 to conduct research with Salim Ali for their “Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan.” Dr Ripley has binoculars hanging around his neck.

And in the second image, Dr Ripley stands with Salim Ali (1896-1987) on a high hill. Dr Ripley is holding a gun in his right hand and both men have binoculars around their necks. Ali is holding a camera in his right hand. This was part of their research for the book.



And in the third image, from left to right in the first row: Unidentified person, Salim Ali, Mary Livingston Ripley, and Dr Ripley sit on a hillside in India. Mr P. B. Shekar, former collections specialist at the Bombay Natural History Society and a regular camp member of many expeditions by Dr Ripley in India, is in the top, back right. The other man in the back row is unidentified.