The crane is one of these symbols coming through the centuries to feed Japanese culture. It’s everywhere. Usually called tanchōzuru, it is said to live 1000 years. It will be found on coins, bills, company logos (e.g. Japan Airlines), but also on many ukiyo-e, traditional paper prints from woodblock engravings. Inevitably, crane flocks are met…
Strong and dignified, the whooper swan is marvelous subject, in snow as much as in sun. Whooper swan, Cygne siffleur (Cygnus cygnus)Hokkaido, Japan North island, January/February 2019.
More common than the Steller’s sea eagle, the white-tailed sea eagle is a very powerful bird of prey. White-tailed sea eagle, Pygargue à queue blanche (Haliaeetus albicilla)Hokkaido, Japan North island, January/February 2019.
This sea eagle is one of the largest bird of prey. Magestic in flight, armed with powerful talons and a mighty yellow beak, it may remind of the American bald eagle (or the African fish eagle), but it is a quite different species. You may want to see it actually fishing at sea. Steller’s sea…
Short-eared owl, Hibou des marais (Asio flammeus)Hokkaido, Japan North island, January/February 2019.
Black kite, Milan noir (Milvus migrans)Hokkaido, Japan North island, January/February 2019.
Let’s immediately start with the public admission that this beautiful night hunter was shot from a commercial and perfectly setup lookout (perfect from the photographic point of view, more rustic from the comfort point of view; But what do you expect when you come and visit to spend two full nights patiently waiting for this…