Snow monkeys of Japan
A popular tourist draw for Nagano, Japan, are the snow monkeys, or Japanese macaques, that are drawn to the area - particularly during inclement weather - by the local hot springs.
Shutterbugs
While his day job takes Mark Hemmings around the world shooting commercials, for the past decade he has been leading photography tours. One of the highlights of his Japan itinerary is capturing snow monkeys at Nagano.
Japanese Macaques
The snow, said Hemmings, makes the perfect backdrop for a picture.
Japanese Macaques
"Right now we have snow falling, we have overcast skies, and that produces a nice, soft appearance for the face, the monkey face," Hemmings said. "And plus, because these are snow monkeys, we want snow!"
Japanese Macaques
The area is called jigokudani, or "Hell Valley," because of the sulfurous, steaming hot springs bubbling underground, which draw the snow monkeys from the mountains of Nagano seeking warmth.
Japanese Macaques
The nearby town is known for its onsen, or hot baths, which evidently were drawing more than just the tourists. So, to avoid scaring off those who actually paid to use them, a "monkeys-only" pool was created.
Throw in a little barley to sweeten the deal and voila! -- you get bathing monkeys.
Mark Hemmings
"I'm not so much a wildlife photographer per se, but I like photographing monkeys because they have such human characteristics," said Mark Hemmings.
Japanese Macaques
"I think you could tell a story just by the expression on this monkey's face," he told CBS News' Seth Doane.
Japanese Macaques
Teachers Robin and Matt Luther from Milwaukee, who first saw snow monkeys in National Geographic, were on Hemmings' photo tour. "They have it made; they've got the life," Matt said. "I'm kind of jealous, I think, more than anything!"
Japanese Macaques
Basking snow monkeys.
Japanese Macaques
Hemmings' photographs are almost like human portraiture. "The human face tells so much with just the smallest amount of change with the muscle structure," he said. "And you can see that in these monkeys as well."
Japanese Macaques
The Japanese macaque is the most northern of monkey species.
Japanese Macaques
Scientists say macaques are particularly intelligent, being able to adapt new behaviors and pass them down to later generations, so it is not surprising that they would adapt to the hot springs of Nagano with such ease.
Japanese Macaques
Snow monkeys of Nagano.
Japanese Macaques
Japanese macaques are listed as a threatened species, their habitat endangered by agriculture and the encroachment of man.
Japanese Macaques
Macaque portrait.
Japanese Macaques
A Japanese macaque enjoys the 109° F waters of the Nagano hot springs.
Japanese Macaques
Snow monkey.
Japanese Macaques
Japanese macaques in Nagano.
Japanese Macaques
A portrait of a snow monkey.
Japanese Macaques
For more info:
2017 Japan Photo Tour & Workshop with Mark Hemmings (February 5-11, 2017)
Follow Mark Hemmings Photography on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Vimeo and Youtube