SNOW MONKEYS SPA DAY AS WILDLIFE THRIVES IN WINTER WONDERLAND<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />Watch as snow monkeys were filmed relaxing in natural hot springs while other wildlife played, fought, and foraged across snow-covered landscapes.<br />The scenes were captured by M. S. Ranganathan, a banking professional from India, who travelled from a tropical climate into Japan’s frozen wilderness to document animals thriving in extreme winter conditions.<br />During the expedition, Ranganathan photographed snow monkeys enjoying hot spring baths, red foxes play-fighting, birds strolling across icy terrain, and cranes and swans performing elegant displays against frozen backdrops.<br />He shot more than 50,000 images for this project which was planned meticulously after a YouTube video sparked his fascination with cold-climate wildlife.<br />The journey involved gruelling treks through knee-deep snow and temperatures that got as cold as -29 degrees with biting winds making conditions even harsher.<br />Ranganathan said: “The sheer toughness required for the trip made me want to do it as soon as the world opened to travel.<br />“Witnessing and capturing these behaviours was surreal.<br />“The extreme conditions are only one part of the process; knowing your equipment well is key to making meaningful images.<br />“Coming from a warm country, this contrast was part of the adventure’s appeal. I hoped these images would inspire others to appreciate the resilience and beauty of wildlife.”<br />ENDS
