Tag Archives: Japan

Blakiston's Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

Blakiston’s Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

This is the largest living species of owl found anywhere on Earth! It has a wingspan of up to 190 cm (6 ft 3 in), a total length of up to 72 cm (28 in) and weighing up to 4.6 kg (10.1 lb). It is endangered due to human activities like the cutting down of […]

Blakiston's Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

Blakiston’s Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

This is the largest living species of owl found anywhere on Earth! It has a wingspan of up to 190 cm (6 ft 3 in), a total length of up to 72 cm (28 in) and weighing up to 4.6 kg (10.1 lb). It is endangered due to human activities like the cutting down of […]

Blakiston's Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

Blakiston’s Fish-Owl (Ketupa blakistoni)

This is the largest living species of owl found anywhere on Earth! It has a wingspan of up to 190 cm (6 ft 3 in), a total length of up to 72 cm (28 in) and weighing up to 4.6 kg (10.1 lb). It is endangered due to human activities like the cutting down of […]

Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time. Here you can see the snowdrift flowing over the boats and […]

Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time. Here you can see the snowdrift flowing over the boats and […]

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time. The owners of this blue shed, my favorite building in Hokkaido, […]

Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula

During my visits to Notsuke Peninsula I experienced, snow, blue sky, and a lot in between. This is shot when the wind was battering the landscape, making it very cold and unpleasant to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake, is the home of many whooper swans during the winter months as a small part of it never freezes over due to hot springs. The sand on the shore is hot to the touch in some places and and warm water pours up from deep underground in other places. This […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Steller's Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

During the winter months the Steller’s sea-eagle follow their food source cod and pollock to the northern coast of Hokkaido. Where there’s fish also humans follow, and thus the fishery and wild stock of fish is supporting a large number of this species in winter, and in particular the months of February and March – […]

Steller's Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

During the winter months the Steller’s sea-eagle follow their food source cod and pollock to the northern coast of Hokkaido. Where there’s fish also humans follow, and thus the fishery and wild stock of fish is supporting a large number of this species in winter, and in particular the months of February and March – […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

During the winter months the Steller’s sea-eagle follow their food source cod and pollock to the northern coast of Hokkaido. Where there’s fish also humans follow, and thus the fishery and wild stock of fish is supporting a large number of this species in winter, and in particular the months of February and March – […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

During the winter months the Steller’s sea-eagle follow their food source cod and pollock to the northern coast of Hokkaido. Where there’s fish also humans follow, and thus the fishery and wild stock of fish is supporting a large number of this species in winter, and in particular the months of February and March – […]

Steller's Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

During the winter months the Steller’s sea-eagle follow their food source cod and pollock to the northern coast of Hokkaido. Where there’s fish also humans follow, and thus the fishery and wild stock of fish is supporting a large number of this species in winter, and in particular the months of February and March – […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

During winter the white-tailed eagles are found together with the visiting Steller’s sea eagles on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Here they feast on leftovers from the fishery and handouts from the many tourists coming here just for these magnificent eagle species. The white-tailed eagle is a very large eagle, and when seen together with […]

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. This blue shed was standing very much out in it’s unique color, which brings down the color of […]

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. I found only one shed, and these fishing net floats in bright colors. Here the daylight is coming […]

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. I found only one shed, and these fishing net floats in bright colors. Here the daylight is coming […]

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. This blue shed was standing very much out in it’s unique color, which brings down the color of […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

Blue shed, Notsuke Peninsula

Notsuke Peninsula is a beautiful stretch of open land and sea, with wetland on one side and pebbles and stones on the other side facing the Pacific. There is much wildlife here, and few buildings. During winter the wind and snow can be brutal, and any building must be able to stand against the storms. […]

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

Fishing net floats, Notsuke Peninsula

The colors of the houses in Hokkaido are rather bland, dominated by beige, grey and off-white. Very different from what you encounter in the Norwegian country-side, where you’ll find buildings in bright red, blue, yellow and white. I found only one shed, and these fishing net floats in bright colors.

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I encountered several red foxes during my days in Hokkaido, but was surprised to see so many of them injured in various ways. One had a damaged front leg and was limping. Many had a tail with sores and little hair due to mites. These hairless-tailed foxes strangely enough had normal skin and fur on […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I encountered quite a few red foxes during my days in Hokkaido, but was surprised to see so many of them injured in various ways. One had a damaged front leg and was limping. Many had a tail with sores and little hair due to mites. These hairless-tailed foxes strangely enough had normal skin and […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I was deeply disturbed to see this amazing stag limping around in the snow with its right front leg trapped in a nylon rope stuck to his antler. I was uncertain as to how exhausted it was, so I stopped a car and pointed out to the situation and asked it they had a knife, […]

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites as well that they visit throughout the winter, and this is shot at one such location in Tsurui. With a wingspan of up to 250 cm (8 ft 2 […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one went straight through a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one is heading towards a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one is heading towards a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

A very popular location in Hokkaido to watch red-crowned cranes roosting is Setsuri River from the Otowa Bridge. This is a long time favorite of both cranes and people alike, as the cranes feel safe here and come in a decent number, and humans get a beautiful view of the river, cranes and the surroundings. […]

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

A very popular location in Hokkaido to watch red-crowned cranes roosting is Setsuri River from the Otowa Bridge. This is a long time favorite of both cranes and people alike, as the cranes feel safe here and come in a decent number, and humans get a beautiful view of the river, cranes and the surroundings. […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I had many encounters of sika deer in Hokkaido, and they were quite used to humans, so getting up close was quite easy, like this one just meters away in Kushiro-shitsugen National Park.

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I had many encounters of sika deer in Hokkaido, and they were quite used to humans, so getting up close was quite easy. Here three females are grazing in a frozen wetland by the Kushiro River in Kushiro-shitsugen National Park.

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites as well that they visit throughout the winter, and this is shot at one such location in Tsurui. With a wingspan of up to 250 cm (8 ft 2 […]

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)

Hokkaido is one of the very best places to see the endangered red-crowned crane. There are several stable roosting sites in rivers, and several feeding sites as well that they visit throughout the winter, and this is shot at one such location in Tsurui. With a wingspan of up to 250 cm (8 ft 2 […]

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

As the name implies this species is endemic to Japan and exists nowhere else on earth. Just like most oft he other macaque species, the Japanese macaque is intelligent and opportunistic and will seize any opportunity humans offer by accident or intent. There are many monkey parks in Japan, where they are fed and provided […]

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

As the name implies this species is endemic to Japan and exists nowhere else on earth. Just like most oft he other macaque species, the Japanese macaque is intelligent and opportunistic and will seize any opportunity humans offer by accident or intent. There are many monkey parks in Japan, where they are fed and provided […]