'Japanese Snow Monkeys', a photo from Nagano, Chubu

Photographer's Note

I remember first seeing these wild Japanese Snow Monkeys on some documentary years ago, and then again in National Geographic etc. They're amazing to see as these wild troups of monkeys that live in the hills around Yamanouchi are the only ones in the world that bath in baths like these.
Since I was in Tokyo on business for a couple weeks, I decided to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) out to Nagano for a day trip to see them.

As the story goes- during the winter years ago- one of the monkeys fell into the Onsens (Hot Springs). However, since the waters were quite warm- the monkey decided to stay in for awhile. As the old saying goes 'monkey see-monkey do', hundreds of them now frequent the Onsens.

More information can be found here... Japanese Snow Monkeys.

I hope you like the shot,
- Dan

isabela_sor, Wanda1 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

isabela_sor (47748) 2009-04-30 22:32 [Comment]

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Wanda1 (15142) 2009-04-30 23:31

Hi Dan,
A beautiful documentary shot of the mother caring for her baby. His fur looks so soft and I like the way he sits. I have always wanted to see these monkeys, maybe one day. Apparently the longer they stay in the hot water the redder their faces become.
Regards
Wanda

MarcT (20964) 2009-04-30 23:45

Hi Daniel,
That's a gorgeous one. Perfect sharpness, great colors and the ideal moment with the mother well placed in the bokeh.
Best wishes
Marc

Fransx (1457) 2009-04-30 23:56

Hello Dan,
Great close up of these monkeys!
Adequate lighting and sharpness especially on the little one.
Fantastic expression and details!
Nice and clean presentation.
Regards.

Francis Xavier

danyy (0) 2009-05-01 0:00

Bonjour Dan,
une scène tendre et bien éclairée, même les lumières et les couleurs font passer beaucoup de douceur. Une photo nette, parfaite sur le plan technique.
Best regards.
Daniel.

Dyerco (10185) 2009-05-01 7:55

Beautifully done Dan. Gotta love that 70-200 lens for its clarity and sharpness. Nicely composed as well with the mamma tending to her young and the little one engaged with the strange looking relative behind the camera. LOL!!
Phil

SteveH (7970) 2009-05-02 23:28

Hi Dan, I'm always a sucker for wildlife shots and this one is great. Sharpness, colour, DOF are all perfect and the expression and activity of the pair is well caught. I particularly like the detail visible in the small ones hand. Cheers, Steve

gneufeld (15890) 2009-05-03 20:19

Hi Daniel,
A great shot of this unusual animal. The crisp sharpness and clarity with focus on the face of the smaller monkey is striking. Great colors too and I like your story. Well done and TFs. Gerald

Aedorian (105) 2009-05-07 3:41

Very, very sharp and nice color tone! Wonderfully done once again, Dan! 5D+70-200 F/2.8=awesome results.

Photo Information

Copyright: Dan Walsh (danielswalsh) (13597)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-25
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 5D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM, @ ISO 320
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Japanese Snow Monkeys, Primates, Dan's Wildlife Shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-04-30 22:30
Favorites: 1 [view]