Snow Monkeys

I love monkeys, they are so fascinating to me (well, I like people and they are quite similar, oh what the hell, I just love ALL animals!).

When I first got to Okinawa, I remember picking up one of Chris Willson's business cards and it was of the Japanese snow monkeys, that card went on my fridge and is actually still there. When I met Chris (also a fellow Brit) he told me he goes up there quite a lot and that it's just on mainland. Then, I was watching my BBC iplayer with the kids and we were watching David Attenborough's life series and there they were, the snow monkeys! I grew up watching David's nature shows on a Sunday eve in London, I love his documentaries...

In early 2010 I took a space A flight to Yokota and I saw the base had a tour going to see these monkeys. It was sold out, but the seed that was so firmly planted in my head had begun to sprout. 'What!' I thought. 'I can actually do this, it's not in some unreachable place, it's right here in Japan. I'm coming back.' And true to my word, I went just last week (well, aren't I the procrastinator, this blog post was drafted in Feb, it's now July LOL) with the whole family. My kids certainly needed to see this! And some snow!

It was a little rushed once we got there (4 hr drive there, 30 min walk to monkeys, 1 hr hanging with monkeys, 30 mins walk back, 4 hr drive back). If I went again, I would like to go on my own time. BUT, OH SO WORTH IT! Even just to see some snow!

But, the monkeys...Brilliant!

It was just so amazing to me to be up so close to the monkeys! One actually jumped on April's leg as we entered! I have a pic of it somewhere, but can't find it...maybe on hubby's card?...

Hello!

They like to bath in these onsen in the cold winter...

Amazing...

They must have guts of steal, there was quite a bit on monkey poo in the water!

Chillin'

walking on water...

sitting on water!

So cute, there weren't too many Mums and babies out for the time we were there.

But, lots of portraits to be taken with the 105 (which is a fantastic portrait lens)...

In BW

A young one...

BW

Here are some 'outtakes' from the monkey park...
April by the onsen...

Loubie 'what's up with all these monkey paparazzi, eh?'

Rope walker...

Ha ha, you can't see me on the live cam!

Yeah, I know I'm famous, snap away with your big lenses!

And here's me!

Thank you Chris and David for the inspiration. Thank you Amanda for hooking me up with your friend Christy in Yokota to get me the tickets. Thank you Albert and the kids for coming with me! And thank you snow monkeys for making a dream become reality!
Peace!

Gear: I took my D300 and I had the 105 Micro 2.8 VR lens (great for portraits). I also had the 55-200 VR in case I needed some further reach. And the 50mm 1.8, just in case, but none of these are with the 50mm, even though it's my most used lens normally. All of these are the 105, except the one with the Mum and baby, that was taken with the 55-200 at 200). I also had my iphone LOL

Here's some info on the monkeys (from Google):
Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan at 36°43′58″N 138°27′46″E / 36.732799°N 138.4627°E / 36.732799; 138.4627Coordinates: 36°43′58″N 138°27′46″E / 36.732799°N 138.4627°E / 36.732799; 138.4627. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park (locally known as Shigakogen), 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.

The heavy snowfalls (snow covers the ground for 4 months a year), an elevation of 850 meters, and being only accessible via a narrow two kilometer footpath through the forest, keep it uncrowded despite being relatively well-known.

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.

Here is a link to the monkey park. Wikipedia also has a link to the live cam at the park and to Chris Willson's article about the monkeys.

And here is a link to Zeno's snow monkey guide and the facebook page, go and 'like' and show some love!