Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is a huge raptor. On average, this is the heaviest eagle in the world (up to 20 lbs. or 9 kg). Graceful flight captured in silhouette against a gorgeous sunrise. The Rausu Harbor Air and Water Show had yet to begin. This guy was one of the earliest fisher birds. He had already staked out his little spot before all the other Air and Water Show participants got there.
Rausu Harbor, Island of Hokkaido, Japan
Tags: Japan Nature Wild Animal Wildlife Winter Haliaeetus pelagicus bird of prey Northern Japan Rausu Island of Hokkaido silhouette Dawn
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Gliding above the ground, this Eastern Marsh Harrier (MAYBE) didn't even beat its wings for several minutes. This is the first bird we saw upon entering the Shiretoko peninsula of Northern Hokkaido. We're not certain this is an Eastern Marsh Harrier. Perhaps a red kite? Or even a Japanese Sparrowhawk? Whatever it is, the bird was absolutely stunning.
Shiretoko Peninsula, Island of Hokkaido, Japan
Tags: Japan Nature Wild Animal Wildlife Winter Shiretoko Peninsula Island of Hokkaido Northern Japan effortless lift
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Our intrepid band of photographers just entered the Shiretoko Peninsula when we happened upon this beautiful - and apparently sleeping - red fox (Vulpes vulpes) along the road to the town of Beihatsu. Even though we accidentally interrupted its nap, this gorgeous animal stared at us for a good 10 minutes, seemingly curious and unafraid of the funny two-legged creatures fully draped in strange-looking gear. When it had enough of the photo shoot, the red fox scampered away and disappeared amongst the snow drift,
Shiretoko Peninsula, Island of Hokkaido, Japan.
Tags: Japan Nature Wild Animal Wildlife Winter Vulpes vulpes Red fox Shiretoko Peninsula Beihatsu Hokkaido sleeping napping Island of Hokkaido Northern Japan
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Shy Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), a normally nocturnal owl, nested in a hollow tree trunk. This is the Ural Owl Dad. There were two exceedingly cute Juvenile Ural Owlettes about 200 feet or so from Dad's perch. Ural Owl Mom was about 10 feet from Dad. Mom hovered about and circled our band of intrepid photographers. Dad squawked at our group every once in a while, but he pretty much just glared at us the entire time we were there. Beautiful and protective birds.
Bihoro-touge, Island of Hokkaido, Japan
Tags: Japan Nature Wild Animal Wildlife Winter Strix uralensis Nikon D4 500 mm f/4 lens Hokkaido nocturnal bird protective parents Ural Owl Owl
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When you are a Raven, you don't mess with a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), also known as the sea eagle and the white-tailed sea eagle. A close cousin of the Bald Eagle, the White-tailed Eagle is a large raptor, measuring up to 37 in (94 cm) in length with a wingspan of up to 8 ft (2.45 m). The raven had the fish first. But as soon as this white-tailed sea eagle saw the raven's bounty, it turned seemingly on a dime, dropped about 30 feet, and snatched the poor raven's fish from his talons. To add insult to injury, the white-tailed sea eagle was trash talking this poor raven every step of the way. That, or he was just squawking really loudly.
Akan International Crane Center, Island of Hokkaido, Japan
Tags: Japan Nature Wild Animal Wildlife Winter Haliaeetus albicilla Akan Island of Hokkaido Northern Japan bird of prey raptor
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