AGeoJO
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First off, these are from several years back when I did the trip in the winter to Japan. Although I spent quite a bit of time in bitterly cold Hokkaido for the Stellar eagles, snow cranes, etc. but I did make it to visit Jigokudani (Hell's Valley) on the main island, Honshu for the snow monkey. What a wonderful experience it was! I ended up spending more time than original planned at that location.
Yes, it was cold and the hot water pool that provides comfort is well loved by the snow monkeys. The pool is controlled by the dominant clan and only members of that extended family can take advantage of the warmth the onsen (hot water pool) offers. All others have to just stay at the edge and just get a little warmth from the rising surrounding air. And the dominant clan defends the onsen vigorously and will attack "offenders". When I was there, the temperature dropped in the afternoon and it was quite windy, too. These "outsiders" could just huddled closely, clutching their young close to them to get some comfort from each others.
When I was there, there were some 10 photographers on and off. Most of them used longer lenses and that's what I set out to do. And after a while, I tried to venture into using an ultra wide angle zoom lens but I approached them really closely; slowly first and without any threatening gesture, of course. Somehow, the hot water in the pool makes them relax enough to let me do that. There was German photographer that saw me do that and he did the same. Again, in the name of getting a different perspective.
Thank you for stopping by and please feel free to leave any feedback,
Joshua
#1 - This youngster and his/her mother do not belong to the dominant clan
#2 - That provides some comfort from the cold
#3 - This youngster enjoys hot water at the edge of the pool near mom
#4 - A veteran is dozing off
#5 - The big Kahuna
#6 - Another member at the dominant clan, dozing off
#7 - Closeup using ultra wide angle; the front of the fingers was right at the lens
#8 - Sideways view of the scene above
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. Thank you very much for your kind comment, Brian!