I found this pair on the shores of a river leading into Lake Nicaragua. Golden Mantles are named for the long golden hairs on their backs and shoulders. They are the largest Central American monkey and are critical seed dispersers and germinators.
I stood very still,
and shot them for quite awhile.
They both eventually became curious,
and walked down the tree branches directly towards me!
They hooted gently, causing me to back up!
I wasn’t sure at first if it was safe for them to get this close.
My cowardice seemed to disappoint them, and they went back up the tree, and about their business, ignoring me.
Cheers to you from Nicaragua’s friendly Golden Mantles~
cindyknoke.com 
Have you heard of the Owl Monkey Project? This could explain the behavior of this monkey.
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What a wonderful sighting, Cindy. Great shots and fun to see how curious they are.
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Yes, they were wonderful. Thanks much Jane.
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One of the best things about observing monkeys in the wild is how they’ll sometimes watch us with as much curiosity as we watch them. It was good to keep your distance, though.
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All us animals do this! Birds people watch.
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That’s true!
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❤
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You’re right! Just today I had a robin who seemed like she was watching me, and there’s a young squirrel who seems to sit outside my window and watch me as I’m working in the kitchen.
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Yep. Our roadrunners watch us through the windows while we sleep. I have no idea why they find this fascinating!
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Maybe they’re planning something…
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Undoubtedly!
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I didn’t have my glasses on at the beginning, Cuz, and I thought you were at Lake Michigan and one of those guys looked like uncle Henry 😀. Hahaha ! Great pic’s Cindy. 📷
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Boy you didn’t have your glasses on cuz, not Uncle Henry, Cousin Fred!
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Aww so cute!! ❤
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They are our kissing cousins!
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What awesome creatures and really great captures, Cindy!!
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Thanks so much Kirt. I appreciate it.
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A lot of times I’m wondering who’s watching who. I’ve even seen fish check me out on a dive.
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Birds are avid people watchers!
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Watching you, watching me, that’s wonderful to see. Lovely shots, Cindy! ❤
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Exactly. I catch wild animals and birds people watching all the time with my camera. Hope you four are enjoying the arrival of spring ❤
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What a thrilling encounter!
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Yes. I felt honored to spend time with them.
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The baby is following her and playing the Boss 🙂
hilarious catch
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The are extremely entertaining to watch in the wild.
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wünsche dir einen guten Tag mit vielen schönen Momenten
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Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende, mein Freund!
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So, you decided it is not safe for them. And what is about your safety?
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For all of us. Caution keeps everyone safe.
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Magic monkey
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❤ ❤
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Cindy, once again, thank you for stunning photographs!
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Happy you enjoyed these gorgeous guys & Happy Weekend Charles~
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es ist kalt geworden, da machen wir uns warme Gedanken und bleiben zu Hause
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Hoffentlich wärmt dich der Frühling bald!
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einfach nur genießen, ok?
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Fabulous shots, Cindy. 🙂
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So pleased you enjoyed them & Happy Weekend ❤
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
I will leave you with the stunning images of golden mantled howler monkeys, captured beautifully as always by Cindy Knoke..amazing..
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There are blogging women who reaffirm my faith in humanity, and you are at the top of the list. ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much Cindy that is very kind and it is reciprocated…♥
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I’ll say you were closer than I would have been, lol. I would have been running olympics as soon as I saw them scatter down the tree LOL 🙂
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I think you would have stood there too, but just like me, backed up a bit 😉 Love to you sweet lady ❤
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Lol, I’m sure you don’t know me lolol 🙂 ❤
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Truly outstanding photos, Cindy. I was once standing too close to a howler and he threw a piece of fruit he was eating at me. They have a clear way of communicating their boundaries. lol. I love your photos here, and studied them for a long time. I love howler monkeys. Loved seeing the colors of their fur in the sunshine, the eyes so wide open, especially liked the one hooting at you. Nice background too. What a great day for you. Thanks for sharing it.
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You get it. And I know you do. It was such a thrill and honor. When wildlife doesn’t know you, yet chooses to get close to you, it has to be the purest thing ever.
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an diesem Wochenende bleibe ich zu Hause und mache es mir gemütlich
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Terrific photos, Cindy!
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these photos are super spectacular. The models are reflected with a surprising sharpness that we can even visualize their expressions on their faces. Undoubtedly a wonderful experience in the Central American jungle.
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Brave Monkey 🤨
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Indeed. Brave and non-aggressive.
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So cute!! I think they liked being clicked!! But if i was in your place i would have been running back with full force the moment they looked like coming down!! 😂😂 You are brave!!
Loved your description!!
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Thank you so much and I am happy you enjoyed these guys as I did. Cheers to you & be well!
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Cindy, they are fascinating. Thank you for sharing them with us. ❤
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Amazing. It must have been fun photographing the monkeys. Lovely pictures🤗
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Thank you. It was so much fun!
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Sweet salve for these eyes (after those crocs, ha). They’re so beautiful I could cry. I’m so happy you were able to be in their presence and part of their day. What an amazing experience Cindy !! xk
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So happy you like them too! I felt temporarily accepted which was a wonderful feeling ❤
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Phenomenal photos!
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Honored, thank you & lovely to meet you~
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