Imagine trying to photograph a fast moving bird in the sky about a hundred feet or more from you. Now imagine doing that, but while on a boat, in the middle of the South Atlantic, in choppy waves, trying to balance yourself so you not only don’t fall overboard, but also steady yourself and hands enough, while fully zoomed in about 400mm, to get a tack sharp, in-focus shot. Not to mention all that, add in cold blowing wind and spray of the ocean, freezing your fingertips, face and body. This absolutely beautiful Cape Petrel lined up just perfectly. I couldn’t believe it when I got back and looked through the loads and loads of photo bursts and found this gem. Just stunning! South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands GPS Coordinates: 53°15'7.506" S 45°45'47.028" W
The Monkey Park in Arashiyama is an absolute must. Not only is there a beautiful hike into the forest up Mt. Arashiyama, to reach the park, but to experience macaque monkeys roaming freely around you is so much fun. These monkeys are highly intelligent and adorable. There had to have been around a hundred or more, from older adults to younger babies. I caught this tender moment between a mom and her baby. Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, 61 Arashiyama Nakaoshitachō, Nishikyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 616-0004, Japan
What is also amazing about these macaque monkeys, is how similar they are to us. Their social behavior, their interactions with other monkeys, their interactions with you as you are feeding them, their facial expressions, the emotions in their eyes, is so human-like. If you have ever wanted to experience monkeys up close, not in a sterile like zoo setting, where you see them 50 feet away, don’t miss coming here. Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, 61 Arashiyama Nakaoshitachō, Nishikyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 616-0004, Japan
