Thrilled!

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 19, 2010156 views11 comments

These monkeys are always fun to observe and photograph, and this youngster really made my day with his funny poses and expressions. The expression here reminded me of the ones on people's faces when watching a trapezium act in the circus! Maybe it was one of his brothers above him doing some dangerous monkeynastics.

Vervet Monkey (Cercopithecus Aethiops)
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shutter Speed 1/320 Sec.
Aperture Value f/8.0
ISO Speed 1250
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x TC
crop is 80% of original

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on April 19, 2010 at 8:41 AM

Great expressions & pose here, really liked position of hands n feet and the curosity of young monkey. As a matter of personal taste, I would either prefer a tighter crop or would like to see full monkey.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 19, 2010 at 9:08 AM

Lovely shot - I like how its showing off those teeth and has a curious look on its face. Where was this photographed?

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 19, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Jagdeep, a tighter crop was my initial feeling as well, but in the end I found this worked better.

Sorry Luke, I forgot to mention the location. Maybe because it was basically in my back yard (well sort of - the small Gaborone Game Reserve a 5 minute drive away)

However, you can find these monkeys anywhere in the bush around the city and even in the outskirts of the suburbs.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 19, 2010 at 2:17 PM

Your backyard huh? I expect more photos of them if they are so common! I was watching LIFE's primate episode last night and they are all such fasciniting creatures - never seems to be a dull moment. That's not to say it's easy to capture them in an interesting or provocative photo as you did here

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on April 19, 2010 at 2:36 PM

He is showing off his immaculate teeth and nails

How else would one explain him breaking that branch and placing all four of his limbs at one place. Would have liked his right forelimb to be a little more in focus, but thats really minor.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on April 19, 2010 at 9:33 PM

Captivating photo, Vincent. I can feel the intensity and concentration in his stare. His eyes, hands/feet, and teeth hold all the attention..... nice back yard!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM

Nice shot, I also would like to see a tighter crop. Thanks for posting.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 20, 2010 at 7:34 PM

In the larger view those eyes really make the image! Fun capture, Vincent.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 20, 2010 at 11:15 PM

Really like the expressive eyes and the fingers in the mouth. Looks like he is really captivated!

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on April 21, 2010 at 11:10 AM

HI Vincent,

Great expression well-captured! And I love those eyes - this little guy looks totally captivated (to say the least). On my monitor the image looks perhaps a tiny bit on the cool side (especially in the arm/hand region). It's extremely minor and may well be my monitor...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Alessandra & Rocco on April 23, 2010 at 5:27 AM

Nice pic well framed! She seems a little bit unhappy

Registered on March 3, 2007, 122 Posts, 778 Comments