Japan in Winter - February 2008Japan: Feb. 2008
This year was the best winter for Japan in over a decade. We had tons of snow everywhere we went and the wildlife was fantastic as always. Let me start by thanking Mr. Shinji Sato, our local Japanese guide, for all his hard work and his customary patience and helpful nature. I would also like to thank my co-leader (for the last three years) Steve Freno, who’s knowledge and general likeable personality really make this trip fun to lead every year. A trip leader couldn’t ask for a better co-leader, friend, or room mate. Thanks Steve... see you next year!
OK... now about the trip. The Snow Monkeys were waiting for us as we made our way to the mountains of Honshu. I swear I can recognize monkeys that I have seen and photographed from past years…they probably say the same thing about Steve and I...... Anyway..... lots of snow in the mountains and we were lucky enough to have a range of weather including sunshine, cloudy, and one snow day to give us a variety of conditions to shoot in. Along with the monkeys, we were all lucky to see and photograph several Japanese Serows (wild goat) this year.
After the monkeys, we made out way to the beautiful and picturesque north island of Hokkaido. The majestic Red-crowned Cranes (Toncho) kept us busy and happy for the first three days. We always work on a variety of shots with the cranes including flight, courtship dancing, feeding, and beautiful scenic shots with cranes. Along with the Cranes we also found time for Ural Owl, Whooper Swans, and White-tailed Sea Eagle.
Now came my favorite part of this tour……Steller’s Sea Eagles in the pack ice off the Shiretoko Peninsula in the Nemero Strait! This year was the best I have ever seen (also the best for Shinji who has been coming here for many years) for pack ice and Steller’s Eagles. The conditions could not have been better for us. We were able to spend 3 full days in the pack ice, near the Russian border, photographing hundreds of Steller’s Eagles and White-tailed Sea Eagles. I’ve never filled up so many memory cards with this amazing Eagle! Talk about variety of images: in flight, sunset and sunrise silhouettes (on icebergs and in flight), catching fish, fighting, amazing scenic with Eagles….you name it, we photographed it.....spectacular
Something new for this year was photographing the huge, and critically endangered Blakiston’s Fish Owl. Now when I say huge, I mean huge! When the first owl flew into few, all I could do was gasp. I thought Great Horned Owls were big. It was a cold 5 hrs of nighttime photography, but I know everyone really enjoyed it.
Ok...... that was Japan. Now I switch gears and head off to Botswana. How great is my life?
Cheers
Roy Toft
Other Recent TripsClick on the thumbnail image to view a short report of my recent trip.
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