Hot Springs and Snow Monkeys: Four Seasons in “Hell Valley” (Photos)

Hot Springs and Snow Monkeys: Four Seasons in “Hell Valley” (Photos)

Hot Springs and Snow Monkeys: Four Seasons in “Hell Valley” (Photos)

Hot Springs and Snow Monkeys: Four Seasons in “Hell Valley” (Photos)

February: An older monkey enjoying a long soak.

March: A sudden urge to doze while warming up.

February: I don’t want to get out of the bath in this weather!

January: Although he looks cold, this monkey just doesn’t seem to want to get in the water.

January: A young monkey nibbles on the small portion of barley the monkeys in the park are fed at regular times.

March: A family relaxes around a young monkey in the pool.

February: The snow on either side of Yokoyugawa makes it narrower and easier to jump across. Each morning the monkeys come down from the mountains to be fed and use the pool.

May: New-born babies cling to their mothers wherever they go.

July: Baby monkeys romp together while a mother seeks refuge from the heat in the shade.

September: This mother and child may look like they are smiling, but actually they are responding to a threat from other monkeys off-camera.

September: A monkey jumps up to look bigger during a squabble over food.

October: A mother with her baby clutching her chest goes up the cliff in search of food.

November: In late autumn, mating season begins.

February: Young monkeys jump energetically through the trees in the milder temperature after a blizzard.

January: A fight in the snow over food. Usually such scuffles are brief scuffle, but sometimes serious injuries occur.

January: The bath is popular on a chilly day like today.

January: Although the fur on its head is frozen, the rest of this monkey’s body is nice and warm.

December: Monkeys not accustomed to the cold huddle together on a snowy day in December.