Japanese Snow Monkeys lazing away the day in the natural hot springs near Yudanaka, Japan.
Thank you very much for all the kind words, much appreciated. I visited Japan last month and as soon as I knew I was making the trip to Tokyo I started to plan a couple of days with the Monkeys. It really is incredibly easy to get there within a few hours, leaving Tokyo at 6:00am by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) and changing to a local express. I would recommend anyone visiting Tokyo to make this trip.
I actually visited two days running and came away with over 1500 images.
This image was taken on the second day and when I saw them in this pose I just had to get the picture. To be honest I was in paparazzi mode and pushed my way through quite a number of 'local' tourists to get low down and close for the angle. I do believe I would have killed anyone who got in my way at that point in time ;-)
The monkeys are incredibly tolerant of photographers, with several actually stepping over my lens as I continued to shoot from water level.
If you would like to see more then you can visit my gallery at Snow Monkeys Gallery
Once again, many thanks for the votes, and even more for zero 1,2,3 votes - a first in many ways.
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Keith, just wanted to come back and comment on this as I have just been watching a documentary about these monkeys. Absolutely fascinating. They seem almost human. I love this one.
Just saw that this got an HM at the Bristol open - congrats!
Thanks Sarah, I had two honourable mentions, both with Snow Monkey shots. Just shows DPC is a good test bed. I've learnt such a lot while I've been here.
What can I say....wow. I'd have loved to see the look on your face when you saw this group arranged this way. Especially the one lying back. It's one of those moments when you must have thought "this is going to be a very special photo!" It's one thing to have the skills to set up and take this great shot....but it's another thing to be there when something special happens, such as the "pose" they struck at the right time. Magic for any photogrpher!! I am a novice, but I hope to be lucky enough to capture some great moments like this one and to do them justice like you have. It's not just a great shot...but a great moment you've captured.
This shot is soooo amazing! It makes me think of my own relationships, it IS what we were meant for! Thank you for bringing this glimpse into this world in which we live! Beautiful....
Also, looked through your other monkey shots. They are wonderful. *~Kuddos~*
I keep coming back to this shot again and again, it is simply fantastic! I've also checked out your other monkey shots and they are all awesome as well. I especially like the little guy on the left just laying back ... I so want to go to Japan now!!
Congrats, Keith. I took a look at your pbase gallery - some extraordinary shots there, too, including "Bad Hair Day" and "Snow Monkey 3." And this ribbon-winning shot really stands out even more at a larger size.
PostLuminous Award WINNER!
not that this measures up against a blue, but I just wanted you to know that this image reached inside me and won't let go. This is an image I will always be able to call to mind. Thank you.
Extraordinary. One of the very best images to actually win a Blue in DPC in quite a while. What makes the image transcendant, of course, this is "incredible reclining monkey" and the way the ONLY monkey with open eyes is staring down so fixedly at his/her chest... Congrats!
Fantastic capture Keith! This is one of my lifelong dreams to get the opportunity to photograph these wonderfull creatures! You've done a fantastic job and I hope this is one of many pearls you've managed to bring back.
Beautiful shot. Congratulations with a professionally captured, brilliantly processed, well deserved blue ribbon and a personal 2nd all time best score.
incredible image .. love all the different expressions and the way they seem to be so amazingly comfortable .. the one leaning back clinches this . or maybe its the three with their eyes closed .. !! .. wotever, wherever i look is pleasurable .. congrats on your ribbon, this looks mighty good coming second place on your profile page ...:)
I've often seen photos of the onsen macaques in Japanese photo magazines, and thought they'd make a pretty good Free Study entry, with a good chance of winning the Blue Ribbon. Now you're done it! Congratulations.
Superb. The macaque laid back lifts this from the good to the extraordinary. Slight shame that the sky has crept in at the top right, as it is slightly unbalancing, but nonetheless a very impressive photograph.
This is a wonderful photo...I would love to head up to Nagano right about now for a shot like this. The monkey on the right sleeping is just so great. 10 from me, and a fav at that.
I've never been a big fan of animal shots on this site, but this one goes well beyond just a "look at the expression on that animal's face" kind of composition. You can sense the closeness of this family/pack. The shallow DOF works well for this one as well. Best I've seen thus far in this FS and certainly the best animal shot I recall seeing.
Wonderfully cool shot. I saw a program about these snow macaque monkeys on Discovery channel some time ago. Lovely capture. I like the way that little one is leaning back and dozing. 8
priceless - I had to call people to look at it. Reminds me of our local council workforce! Must win - 10
(I would say this has definite sales potential)
This is mesmerizing, I suppose partly because of the fact that they are all close-eyed, and the odd posture of the one leaning backward, as if in a death repose. Also the reflections - I suppose some might say you would be better off using a polarizer to get rid of the water reflections, but I like very much that you have them, and the image would be less absorbing to look at if they weren't there.
Japanese Macaque in Jigokudani Yaenkoen Onsen
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