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Every year I lead a photo tour to Japan where we photograph the famous snow monkeys, whooper swans, the endangered red crowned cranes, and Steller's sea eagles. We've been going there for many years, and it's one of our most popular and most copied tours. It also happens to be one of our own favourite trips, so we're already looking forward to next February.

One of the main reasons to get so excited every year is our visit to the snow monkeys. They're a real joy to watch, not only because they're constantly active in and around the natural hot springs and that there's a lot of interaction between monkeys to observe and photograph, but also because they resemble humans so much and you can really tell how they're feeling and what they're thinking. Well, almost. The young monkeys are particularly enjoyable to watch because they're very lively and curious.

This young monkey was intrigued by my wide angle lens, because it could see itself in the reflection. At first it was just looking at the reflection, but then it started to move closer and closer, eventually trying to touch it. I didn't want that, because it would result in wet little fingers on the lens so I would pull back when I saw those hands moving towards me. After a while it suddenly grabbed the lens hood and looked straight into the lens, and this is the resulting photograph.

If you're interested in joining me on our next Japan trip and learn more about wildlife photography, please check out my website for more information and tour impression video clips:

Squiver Photo Tours & Workshops

Hope to see you there!

Marsel

©2012 Marsel van Oosten, All Rights Reserved. This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or other media without the explicit written permission of the photographer.