Monkey business Photo

Photographer’s Note

Monkey business

Picture taken in Japan's Jigokudani Monkey Park is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture.

It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning "Hell's Valley", is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.

It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. Starting in 1963, the monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hotsprings), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

If you like them I will post some more.
Cheers.

eversmile, Nolme, nicol_g has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

grantlp (2104) 2008-11-18 1:30

Hi Michel,
An interesting and humorous image, which is well composed and well captured. The two monkeys in the foreground are the main focus of this photo......so human like aren't they...the wife grooming her husband!!! Well done.
Cheers Grant

eversmile (5939) 2008-11-18 1:45

Wouah, Michel! Elle est excellente! Tu as trouvé une composition forte, intéressante, avec ce singe en premier plan bien avant, et l'air bien nostalgique! A moins que ce ne soit que de l'abandon sous le message que lui dispense son acolyte derrière?! Avec la ronde des singes en second plan, l'idée de clan est joliment illustrée et l'athmosphère campée avec la brume est géniale. Les singes qui se baignent profitent donc d'un jacuzzi naturel, si j'ai bien compris?!
Amicalement
Marine

smarcell (14073) 2008-11-18 2:18

I know this place is very famous. Nice and funny congregation of monkeys, very busy in their activities.
Regards Stefano

Nolme (5278) 2008-11-18 3:46

Belle composition. J'aime particulièrement ce singe sur la droite qui semble gouter un moment de quiétude dans cette eau chaude. Comme si il soulageait son vieux dos des douleurs ou bien rêve-t-il tout simplement à sa dulcinée qui l'épouille. Il a l'air si humain.
merci de ce beau partage.
Marie

gabrielpat (6491) 2008-11-18 4:59

salut Michel,
une belle ambiance thermale...joli plan de ce singe devant qui semble rêveur.
les faces des singes se détachent bien sur les ocres des rochers et des fourrures.
patrick.

mesutilgim (36242) 2008-11-18 9:15

Hi Michel, my neighbour today,
Amazing capture, with perfect pov and great light management. Very nice and usefull notes.
An entry which absolutely conforms with the mission of this site.
TFS
And best regards
MESUT ILGIM

tomescuc (2823) 2008-11-19 22:03

Bonjour Michel,
Cette photographie, je voulais la faire. :-) Mais je reviendra en hiver ;-) Bien composee et cadree.
amicalement,
Cristian

mirarer (4264) 2008-11-23 3:37

Hi Michel,
Una imagen excelente. Cuidada composición en la que destacan los tres monos del primer plano inmersos en una gran actividad social.
Gran captura.
Saludos,
Mirari