Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 250 (+0.7 EV), Nikon Z 6 Cropped slightly for closer view; the young macaque hasn’t seen many humans this strange, whereas keeping a safe distance from the alpha male is wise (the next processing). Notice the full cheek pouches that are used for storage when grabbing food fast and eating later (in a safer surrounding etc.). Its use can be also seen in the previous shot of the female. Rajasthan
Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 250 (+1 EV), Nikon Z 6 A portrait of another female of the troop. Out of the five species of this primate genus that we photographed, the rhesus macaque is the only one that is not considered endangered or vulnerable. It adapts easily to human world niches where it forms large groups. Rajasthan
Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @390mm, f8, ISO 140 (+ 1 EV), Nikon Z 6 Early afternoon; a female balancing in the branches. From a different location two days later in a drier forest by a stream. The troop is feeding on lantana unripe fruit (exclusively) that is generally considered problematic for toxicity. Adaptations can widen the diet of species eventually or lead to specialisations under certain scenarios. The distinct chemistry plant (for its parts and imprint in the soil biomass) is native in South and Central America from where it spread across the planet centuries ago. It grows mainly within disturbed ecosystems and on the forest edge (in this case) and its invasive nature is felt in places with little forest cover and enough light. Toxic to some mammals, long used in traditional medicine and for edible ripe fruit. Several macaque species are widespread and notoriously known neighbours of humans. Here, we were lucky to get shots of both sexes and a tiddler in a natural environment (NP). Rajasthan
