DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
Bath Time
Bath Time
dleach


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2009 (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Location: Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Nagano, Japan
Date: Jun 30, 2009
Aperture: 5.0
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Nature, Animals
Date Uploaded: Jan 18, 2010

 [Jan. 24th, 2010 09:30:32 PM]

Yes, this is a snow monkey. I went on vacation to Japan over the summer and after seeing this from falc I contacted him on this picture and how to get there from Tokyo.

We traveled about 5 1/2 hours to get to the park (with the last part walking for 30-40 minutes). When we got to the park, the ranger said that the monkeys were not there but up in the mountains. After traveling so far I told the ranger that I would wait.

While waiting, a really nice Japanese gentleman, who didn't speak English, seeing that I was there to take pictures gave me a packet of pictures he had taken... all of them very good. I suspect he didn't want us to leave without pictures since the monkey's were not there.

Fortunately, they had sent some rangers into the mountain to find the monkeys and after about 45 minutes of waiting they showed up... a lot of them. And they have no fear of humans walking right by you.

So we spent the next several hours with the monkeys taking pictures. Part of the time was difficult because a cloud engulfed the area but I was able to get a bunch of pictures.

Although it was the summer, the monkeys still went into the onsen. It was a highlight of our Japan trip and I would recommend it to everyone (although I still want to go in the winter).

Also, there is a monkey webcam. We monitored this webcam every day.

Directions from Tokyo to Monkey Park:

1) Take the Tokyo to Nagano Shinkansen.
2) Exit JR station down flight of stairs to street. In front slightly to the left is the Nagano Dentesu Rail station.
3) Catch train to Yudanaka.
4) At Yudanaka exit out to the right to bus station or taxi and ask for Monkey Park.
5) You might get dropped off at a gas station outside Roman Museum. Walk up side road to your left until you come to a T junction. Turn right and follow road up until first sharp hair pin bend. There will be a well marked foot path off into the woods.
6) Follow this path for 20-30 minutes (a couple of miles) until you reach the steps to the monkey park.

Now specifically, you want to take a very early shinkansen to Nagano so you can catch a limited express to Yudanaka. Ideal time is the 6:24am which will get you into Nagano at 8:04 am so you can catch the Yudanaka limited express at 8:56 am. That will get you into Yudanaka at 9:48 and to the park by 10:30 or 11am.

Other choices for this challenge:


Statistics
Place: 186 out of 445
Avg (all users): 5.9398
Avg (commenters): 6.6000
Avg (participants): 5.9192
Avg (non-participants): 6.0196
Views since voting: 946
Views during voting: 442
Votes: 249
Comments: 28
Favorites: 0

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 01/29/2010 09:21:49 AM
Oh man, David! This is amazing! I'd think I'd died and gone to Heaven to get a shot like this! I certainly hope before I die, I get to go to Japan and see this.

It's nice to see you here again :) What are you up to these days? Are you still crazy busy with scouts?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2010 01:46:07 AM
Regarding your comment in the outtakes thread, I think you were right. I gave this an 8, I think the one your wife picked would have gotten a 6 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/28/2010 10:40:27 PM
colors are a little flat. maybe boost them a little?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 03:56:09 PM
Poor little guy - just missing the mist/fog rising from the water.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 03:36:55 PM
Image seems soft and colours a bit flat. Some pp work would help fro the colours
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/28/2010 06:06:55 AM
This is a fun and interesting shot, I like the expression, it's like he's just done something wrong! Great spiky hair!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 11:10:57 PM
it looks like a bad hair day too. What a face - great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 08:35:40 PM
Funny, clever, & bizarre......6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 09:07:05 AM
Loved the original group shot but this is nice too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2010 05:18:06 AM
great capture the detail in the face is fantastic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 10:34:28 PM
interesting capture , does not quite evoke the same feeling that I normally get when I see shots like this. I think I miss the coldness from the shot. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 06:53:36 PM
Looks like the monster from the sea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2010 10:15:15 AM
This is those Japanese bathing macaques! Looks quite content with his spa bath :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 07:12:21 PM
hes not happy, hes coming to get you...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 03:52:16 PM
lol Who wouldn't like this little guy? Cute. Maybe a bit more light on the face but the hand to mouth is a bonus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2010 08:44:41 AM
they are interesting aren't they...good image overall, lacks crispness
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 12:50:29 PM
Crisp...excellent critter catch !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2010 04:43:19 AM
AH! I love these bathing monkeys! Is the same person who won a ribbon in a free study months ago?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 09:33:54 PM
this should be entered in the National Geographic Photography Contest they do each year...this is splendid
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 09:16:08 PM
This is like capturing a "private moment" and so candid. Really nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 02:57:31 PM
Very cool, what an opportunity to shoot these monkeys.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 10:16:03 AM
great shot, the look of this monkey is fantastic... i like it. Many many compliments!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 05:38:56 AM
I've seen magazine stories and some nature shows showcasing these 'snow-monkeys' who bathe in the warm springs for warmth. I bet it is even more impressive seeing it live:-). I like that you captured this monkey looking staring back at us. Established eye contact can add visual interest as we connect with the subject. He's staring at me while I watch him. I also like all the wonderful details from the wet spikey hair to the nose and water pooling on the fur/hair around the mouth.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2010 01:59:30 AM
Best Monkey in challenge IMO
 01/22/2010 04:33:54 PM
I love japanese macaques, and you captured this one nicely. I would have preferred the shot to be a bit sharper though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 08:28:22 AM
I've been trying to ping what I don't like about it...and I think its the lack of sharpness of his hair...but I love his expression though. Beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 02:18:18 AM
In China? Nice shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2010 12:57:14 AM
Very nice capture (8)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/10/2025 10:20:51 PM EDT.