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First on TN - Spectacled Langur


First on TN - Spectacled Langur
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-02-27
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D90, Tamron AF 70-300mm Tele-Macro ( 1:2)
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite wild animal photos 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 4:14
Viewed: 4527
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
My Celebration with my TN friend after my second year in this exciting forum.

The Dusky Leaf Monkey, Spectacled Langur, or Spectacled Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus) is a species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family. It is found in Bangladesh, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand

I think this is the first image of Spectacled Langur or dusky leaf monkey. i kept this shot to celebrat my 2 years on TN. This is something quite special to me.
All these years, I have been hearing its howling on the hills. But I never see it personally. I have been hearing its name, the Malay called it " Lotong".
This day I passed by the hill known as Bukit Kubu Recreation Forest Reserve, whichj is a reserved limestone hill. During that time, it was a dry spell.
A troop of these monkey were having lunch, eating leaves and cattails flowers and stalks. But they were very sensitive and full awareness. They would ran away upon seeing human approaching. But in cars they do tolerate. I just cant open the car door, they would ran away. After 2 tries, I have to slowly open the side windscreen and shot them.
I have told you that this was my first time, I did not really know their features very well except that they do wear spectacle. another this I did noticed is that they looked blurry and the camera found it hard to really focus. finally it did but one thing I realised is that the tail is quite long. I realised it until I look in the computer. So I like to celebrate this with all my TN friends.

Some exciting facts about this monkey.

From : http://www.treknature.com/upload.php
The dusky leaf-monkey is a folivorous species, but it will also consume fruit and flowers. Young leaves constitute a high proportion (52%) of the diet for this species (Aldrich-Blake, 1978). Fruit consumed tends to be unripe (MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1980). Dusky leaf-monkeys are able to take advantage of unripe fruit, which have chemical defenses, by the same means that they breakdown toxins in plant leaves, the bacteria found in their digestive system (MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1980). Among fruit consumed includes figs (Ficus) of the following species: Ficus sumatrana, Ficus delosyce, Ficus stricta, Ficus cucurbitina, Ficus dubia, and Ficus aurantiacea (Lambert, 1990). The dusky leaf-monkey will consume both ripe and unripe figs (Lambert, 1990). During the dry season this species will consume Intsia palembanica, Koompassia excelsa, and Koompassia malaccensis (Curtin, 1980). Dusky leaf-monkeys will feed in the emergent trees, which is higher than other sympatric langurs (Curtin, 1976, 1980; Curtin and Chivers, 1978; Fleagle, 1976, 1978b). During the day, the main group splits up and forms smaller foraging groups (Fleagle, 1988). The dusky leaf-monkey prefers to forage in the main canopy and the emergent layer of the forest (Fleagle, 1988, 1978). When feeding this species will sit on large branches and boughs (Fleagle, 1978a). This species will spread foraging activity throughout the day so as not to overload their digestive processes that remove plant toxins and process leaf matter efficiently (MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1980).

The dusky leaf-monkey can have a social system of two types: multimale-multifemale or unimale (Curtin and Chivers, 1978). This is a territorial species where home range boundaries rarely overlap (Curtin, 1976; MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1980). Territories might be maintained because of the territorial honks emitted by the adult male (Curtin, 1980). Solitary individuals are known to occur of both sexes (Curtin, 1976; Curtin and Chivers, 1978). Adult males do not interact with many members of the group; their roles are confined to predator detection, maintenance of group cohesion during travel, and defense of territorial boundaries (Curtin, 1976, 1980). Males will not become aggressive with intruders; rather hide with the rest of the group (Curtin, 1980). As compared to the banded langur, the dusky leaf-monkey has a higher frequency of social interactions within the group (Curtin, 1980). Infants will be transferred between females, and sometimes one adult female will watch as many as four infants while the other females rest and feed (Curtin, 1976, 1980; Badham, 1967). Juveniles will be associated more with an adult female than with members of their own peer group, which is different from banded langurs (Curtin, 1980).

Aggression is low amongst group members (Curtin, 1976, 1980). When aggression does occur amongst group members, there is a high rate of reconciliation (Arnold and Barton, 1997, 2001a). Affiliative dyadic relationships, and not kinship and rank, are associated with conciliatory tendencies (Arnold and Barton, 1997, 2001a). Ventro-ventro hugging (embracing) is an important behavior during reconciliation (Arnold and Barton, 1997, 2001a). Former opponents will engage in hugging as will victims with a third party who with they have a strong bond (Arnold and Barton, 1997, 2001b). Social grooming was the most popular first contact behavior after an agonistic encounter (Arnold and Barton, 2001b). The intensity of aggression was not found to have an effect on the likelihood of reconciliation to occur (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). Reconciliation was found to occur within three minutes after an agonistic encounter (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). Reconciliation can be initiated by the recipient of aggression or the aggressor (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

Groups will split-up during the day to form subgroups that forage and then reunite during the evening (Curtin, 1976, 1980). The most common subgroup is an adult female and a juvenile (Curtin, 1976, 1980). Subgroups tend to be large in the early morning and smaller in the mid and late afternoon (Curtin, 1976, 1980). Subgroups remained in contact through visual means and also by knowing familiar travel routes through the forest (Curtin, 1976, 1980). Ranging patterns of a group are conservative by nature, which helps in predicting where a subgroup will be at a certain time (Curtin, 1980). The ranging patterns might also explain why there is little home range overlap between neighboring groups (Curtin, 1980). Subgroups may be adaptive for feeding on a limited and dispersed food supply such as leaves (Curtin and Chivers, 1978). Trees may be dispersed throughout the forest, and new leaves may replace themselves at a slow rate (Curtin and Chivers, 1978).

Social play in the dusky leaf-monkey includes wrestling, sham-biting, jumping on or over, chasing, fleeing, and tail pulling (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). Play face will occur when engaging in social play (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

The dusky leaf-monkey is sympatric with the banded langur, the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus), and the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) in a diptocarp forest near Kuala Lumpur (McClure, 1964; MacKinnon and MacKinnon, 1980). Curtin and Chivers (1978) found that this species associates with siamangs, feeding in the same or adjacent trees and using the same pathways when traveling. Associations between dusky leaf-monkeys and siamangs were found to be most frequent at dawn and dusk (Curtin and Chivers, 1978).

TACTILE COMMUNICATION:
social grooming: This is when one individual grooms another and is used to reinforce the bonds between individuals.

embrace: (hugging) This is when two individuals will sit ventro-ventrally (chests touching) and with both arms around each other (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). Kneading of the fur will often accompany this behavior (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate reconciliation and to consol the recipient (Arnold and Barton, 2001a, b). The aa-aa will usually accompany this behavior (Arnold and Barton, 2001b).

hold bottom: This is when one individual will sit and hold the hindquarters of another individual that is sitting or standing (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate domination on the part of the sender (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

jumpkick: This is when one individual will jump in front of another and kick the individual one or more times (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate aggression (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

hit: This is when individual will strike another with force (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate aggression (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

grab: This is when one individual will grasp another with one or both hands, restraining the individual (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate aggression (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).

grappling: This is when two individuals are in conflict with each other, grabbing, pulling, wrestling, and kicking each other continuously (Arnold and Barton, 2001a). This behavior serves to communicate aggression (Arnold and Barton, 2001a).
cobra112, pierrefonds, CeltickRanger, rousettus, jlinaresp, siggi, cirano, Silvio2006, anel, Argus, Noisette, tuslaw, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Foozi,

Congrats on getting a first on TN. This picture is lovely. The langur is in a nice pose and the detail is very good. Good exposure between light eye rings and darker body.
Good capture and TFS

Sion

Ciao Foozi. Two years with us and exciting works MF! Best compliments for the rare capture in intirgant playing of light. TFS.

Roberto

Hi Foozi,

Congratulation for your 2 years on TN, the tree is framing well the monkey. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the dusty leaf monkey. The afternoon light has a good effect on the colors. I suggest that you try an exposure speed of 1/500 of a seconds. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2010-04-08 5:41]

Hi,
Good composition and special species to celebrate your two years here. The image is bit soft, otherwise fine. tfs.
nagraj.v

hello Foozi

congratulations for your 2nd TN anniversary,
beautiful photo of this funny looking and cute Monkey,
the fine frontal POV giving the very beautiful eye-contact,
fine focus sharpness and details, beautiful luminosity, TFS

Asbed

hello Foozi
Congrat with this first post
great details and a nice monkey
very good pose to see him very good
greeting lou

salam alaikum akhi Foozi,
Congratulation on your first anniversary on TN and also on this new species. By the TN (American) time, your new year started tomorrow, I think Malaysian time it must be April 9th. Here, exactly it is at evening (magreb).
This new monkey on TN looks very very lovely. Its white eye rings show it very pretty. you greatly capture it from great POV and with eyes contact. focus, composition and colors also superb.
I am happy to know you here and to have a nice friend. Insh'allah we will see many great posts from you for a long time. thanks for sharing all these beauties. best wishes and salams.
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-04-08 10:32]

Hello Foozi,
Very nice photo of this monkey. A good photo to celebrate your second year on TN. Beautiful contrasting colours. Fine frontal POV. Hope to see a lot from you in the next year.
Regards,
Peter

Hi foozi,
perfect detalis and species.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2010-04-08 12:41]

Hello Foozi,
fantastic! i love the pose and its little face.You have captured such fine detail and colours. Well done TFS. Very good notes too.
Best regards Siggi

Estos animales no los conocemos aquí Foozi, ni este ni otros más comunes. Realmente es un privilegio para un fotógrafo el vivir en esas latitudes, donde la naturaleza es exuberante.
Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi.

Hello Foozi,
Good heavens! how cute fun! looks like a cartoon! look at those eyes! great job! great angle! is a pleasure to look at this photo and read the complete note! Thanks for sharing, good job! Jesús

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 997 W: 0 N: 944] (13609)
  • [2010-04-08 14:02]

Slav Foozî,
Congratulations for your two years on TN!
This is very good picture in great composition,an excellent sharpness and splendid light,colors.TFS MF.
Best regards,
Dûrzan

Ciao Foozi, congratulations for this fantastic first on TN, great capture of lovely little monkey, wonderful natural colors and splendid sharpness, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2010-04-09 4:05]

Hello Foozi,
At first thanks for all the interesting postings you showed us in these two years. We discovered many new and exciting subjects; I also appreciate your own personal style to take pictures.
This is of course again a very intersting and well documented picture. This Spectacled Langur looks really cute and you have been very lucky to catch it with your lens, even if the approach doesn't seem easy.
Take care!
Kind regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2010-04-09 7:48]

Hello Foozi,
A superb capture of a Spectacled Langur in its natural habitat. Congratulations on this TN first! The features, especially the white eye-rings are well seen against the leafy BG and the composition with the tree branches is excellent.
Well done my friend! It is great to view this fine TN contribution.
Thanks and best wishes,
Ivan

Hello Foozi,
Congratulations on the 2nd anniversary on TN, congratulations for the photo and POV.
Hello Vanni

nice and cute, TFS Ori

hello Foozi
congratulations for your two years on TN and also for a new species on this site,
this Dusky Leaf Monkey is very nice, i like his black fur and his white eyes,
great details and lovely pose
Have a good night
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2010-04-11 18:38]

Hello Foozi,
A spectacular image to celebrate your two year milestone. What an attractive looking monkey with his big black eyes circled by the white eye rings. His snow white beard is also an eye catcher. His fur looks extremely soft and the texture seems very fine. Nicely composed image with great exposure and beautiful colors. Well done!!!
Ron

Haha:) What a cute langur ready to jumping MF Foozi.
This is utterly great contribution to us and TN site MF!
Congratulations!
TFS and have a nice week!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Foozi,
Well done for this first and a first for me.I havent seen any of these before.Well composed anf quite fitting in its natural surroundings.It looks like it has a pair of binoculars aimed straight at you.Well done MF.
erwin...

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