"ENTERING A BRAVE NEW WORLD" - Bali

Easily one of my favorite shots from the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali. There were so many monkeys running around as we entered into their home territory, so it was harder to find shots that really told the story of life here for the local folk (the monkeys!), especially when you add in trying to protect your shiny camera lenses from cheeky monkey hands trying to grab anything reflective that caught their eye!

But then I was able to capture this moment after watching this Mama and baby from a distance for 5 minutes. The baby was inquisitive and kept poking his head out on the side of Mama, as if trying to get a better look of the big world ahead. But Mama kept moving back in front and blocking the little guy's view as she tried to protect him by keeping her little one behind her at all times. They kept shifting like that a few times, until he climbed Mama's leg and poked his head out again, and that's when I got this capture!

So cool seeing the little fella starting to explore the world around him, and Mama constantly protecting her baby. The bond between them was awesome.

Beyond grateful for getting to photograph moments like this!

--Jumpmaster