top of page
Feb 4, 2023

A Visit with Wild Macaques

関西地方, 日本

Kansai Region, Japan

February 1st 2023


Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque calling in kansai region, Japan

Somewhere in the sweeping valleys of Kansai, a short train ride away from a chaotic machine that is the modern Japanese metropolise, lies a forest esconced by maple trees. Annually, this foliage transforms and ultra-realistic beams of red, gold and yellow shoot through the landscape. With all this glammer, it can be easy to forget that this habitat is also exceptional in being home to Japan's only primate species, the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata).



Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque troop sitting next to big trees and roots in in Kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque portrait in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque babies practising mating in Kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque close up eyes in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque mother holding baby in Kansai region, Japan

Japanese macaques are famous not only because they are the Japanese monkey, but because they are the most northerly living non-human primate species in the world, hence them often being called 'snow monkeys'. Physically, they differ from their mainland and other-island relatives by having much redder faces, which, be it a by-product of their passion or sheer awkwardness on the matter, get even redder during the mating season.


Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque troop in snow in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaques mating in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque looking at camera in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque mother holding baby in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque running in snow in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque babies play fighting in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaques grooming each other in kansai region, Japan

The expressiveness of the monkeys was simply a delite to behold, and their constantly jostling social dynamics provided me with the perfect opportunity to flex my wildlife photography fingers. It really hit home how long it has been and how much I missed it. Next time though, I might bring some thermal socks.


Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque baby sticking tongue out in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque grooming another on back in kansai region, Japan

Wildlife photograph of wild Japanese macaque looking to the side in kansai region, Japan

Comments

bottom of page