If Whooper Swan birding photography is your goal for your Birding Photography Tour, then going to Hokkaido is a mistake. Hokkaido Winter Birding Photo Expeditions are for Steller’s Sea Eagles, White-Tailed Eagles, Red-crowned Cranes, Shima Enagas, and the rare, Pure-White, Long-tailed Marsh Tits. If that type of birding photography interests you, then I have a Hokkaido Tour focuses on these species. For the Whooper Swan photographers, you should join me in Niigata.
Whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) are giant birds. They average 137cm - 173cm (4.5ft - 5.6ft) in length. On average their wingspan is 200cm - 300cm (6.5ft - 9.8ft). Guaranteed, in one day, you’ll photograph them in the 100s if not 1000s. In one location in particular, the numbers reach 5,000 roosting Whooper Swans at night. However, this upswing in their availability is relatively recent historically. As a resident of Niigata and an avid historian, I carefully do research while scouting the areas where I live and lead Japan Photo Workshops. While researching nature preserves in Niigata, I discovered Lake Hyoko's origins come from Japan's Edo period, first created as an agricultural reservoir in 1639. The number of Whooper Swans visiting from 1940 until 1954 dwindled due to human interference in their natural habitats, but it has grown steadily since its designation as a refuge. The prefectural government officially recognized its importance as a refuge for visiting Whooper swans and other airborne wildlife in 1954, declaring Lake Hyoko a national monument specifically devoted to the preservation of avian wildlife. As a visiting photographer, I will help you enjoy this destination among others while visiting. My Japan Photography Expeditions are all-inclusive, so all you need is whatever you use to take photos - iPhones, other smartphones, a traditional film camera, really anything you feel comfortable capturing once in a lifetime photos with. Your tour will include blue hour to golden hour, take off and landings as well as the Whooper Swan winter habitat photography. Your photo adventure may include other species such as raptors, ducks, and other Niigata residents.