Birding photography in Hokkaido with camera in hand provides the opportunity to photograph snow angels. Angels appear in paradise, but if you join a Hokkaido Winter Photo Tour with Blain Harasymiw Photography, you can also photograph the angels that arrive each winter. Escaping south from the hellish freezes of more northern latitudes of the Kamchatka Peninsula to the Lake Kussharo region, Whooper swans appear en masse to grace Hokkaido with their presence.
Whooper swans are generally easy to spot because of their size and coloration. The Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) is a huge swan, averaging 137cm - 173cm (4.5ft - 5.6ft) in length. The male tends to be larger than the female, weighing around 11kg (24 lbs.), while the female typically weighs 8kg (17.6 lbs.). On average their wingspan is 200cm - 300cm (6.5ft - 9.8ft). The Whooper swan can easily be identified from other white swans by the color of their bill. The Whooper swan appears similar to the Bewick's swan. The easiest way to tell the swans apart is the orangey-yellow markings of the Whooper swan’s bill, which is more pronounced than the Bewick's bill and the Bewick's bill has more black markings. The Whooper swan is also larger and has a longer neck than the Bewick's swan.
While on our Hokkaido Winter Wonderland adventure, my clients and I will venture onto the alpine route with its breathtaking snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes. At Lake Kushiro, we will meet with over 300 whooper swans who return every winter. During winter, the lake freezes over, but along its sandy beach, geothermal hot springs prevent any ice from forming. This is where we will photograph the magnificently beautiful, pure white giant swans. Next, we should be able to view and get some fitting shots of the mystical Lake Mashuko. The lake has been called the clearest on our planet.
For more than two decades, I, as a Hokkaido Winter Photography Workshop Tour Leader, have spent my winters in Hokkaido witnessing the divine signals the Whooper swans make to each other as they communicate to each other about matters regarding their movements. Issues such as when they will take flight are decided among the bobs, head shakes, and fluttering of their heavenly wings. I encourage you to enjoy the swan signaling symphony as you take the photo adventure of a lifetime. The amount of experience I have in the field means that I will be able to point out which bird will be taking the lead once the swans are airborne. Your experience will be one of a kind.
Although the Whooper swans are not on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list, conservation is still a concern for me as I lead participants into their winter habitat. I know that human activities threaten Whooper swans, such as habitat loss and the reclamation of inland and coastal wetlands. Because tourism is gradually increasing in Hokkaido, more tourists are arriving and appreciating the natural landscapes and beauty that Hokkaido offers. Still, the number of people can also create negative environmental impacts. The price of conservation is vigilance, and when participating in a Hokkaido Wildlife Tour, I am always careful to be respectful of the wildlife and natural surroundings so more visitors may enjoy Hokkaido and its wildlife for generations to come.