Monkey Business

(You can click on each of these pictures to see larger versions.)

Andrea and I ventured out to the rainforest to see more monkeys and other wildlife. We started into the forest and almost immediately encountered monkeys in the trees. We approached slowly as we walked on the trail so we wouldn't scare them away. Little did we know with whom we were dealing.

Monkeys are very dexterous and intelligent. They were not bigger than us but the largest one stood about two and a half feet tall when on his hind legs. We posed no threat to them at all. As we stood on the path, many monkeys swung down from the trees in front of us. Some looked at us and went about their business grooming one another and playing. Then we noticed the big one in the tree closest to us making some low unhappy growling noises. "Do you think he's mad?" Andrea asked. I was thinkging, "Wow, a big one and he's looking right at us." I turned and raised my camera in his direction.

My camera has a big 2 inch diameter lens with a sunshield around the lens. When I put it up in front of my face, it must look like a gaping maw to a monkey. It's black in the middle with jagged edges like teeth all around it and it's in the center of my face.

I focussed in and suddenly, he lunged forward with his mouth fully open, hissing and baring giant 2-inch fangs from his red mouth. We jumped back and decided that maaayyybe we'd go hiking somewhere else.

In hindsight, I realize that these monkeys could attack us and there would be little we could do. They would be way to quick for me and ... those fangs!! We walked out and stood at the trailhead talking to someone we'd just met. Apparently 150 feet away was not far enough for the alpha male's comfort. (Maybe there were baby monkeys nearby.) The large male came toward us walking confidently, not quickly but with an attitude which said, "Didn't I tell you hoodlems to leave?"

We backed away and he followed us out like a bar bouncer making sure we left his establishment. When we were far enough away, he deliberately turned his back to us but was obviously monitoring our exit.

We decided to go to a different park where the monkeys are much friendlier.