Back to the Marsh

More and more Japanese cranes are going back to the marsh from the winter feeding ground in the Tsurui Village.

Today, I spotted two couple of cranes near the Marsh.

Even with full of snow on the ground, I can feel that spring is slowly coming.

Time for Separation

This is the time for the separation for Japanese cranes.

After a year being together, crane parents have to kick out a young one in order to prepare for the next birth.

Crane parents keep more and more distance from a child by ocasionally pecking and chasing him/her.

Soon a young baby learn to live on their own once his/her parents fly back to their nesting area.

Only a year together as a family... and they have to move on.


"A pair of Japanese Crane without a young one...."

Lone Fox

I spotted a red fox today while I was driving near the Kushiro Marsh.

Red fox is abundant here in Hokkaido. I happened to find the denning hole near our house last year. Hopefully we can see the young ones again this spring...

Kushiro Marsh Sunset

There lies a big marshland called Kushiro Marsh near the Tsurui village.

I went there to look for short-eared owls. As the sun was going down, I found several of them flying, but was not able to take a good photograph. Seeing is one thing, but capturing images is another...

Instead, I saw a wonderful sunset today. The sun was slowly going down to the horizon, changing the color of sky litttle by little.

Here is a photo of the sun reflected on the snow in the marshland.

Crane Sunset

It was an amazing sunset today.

As the sky turned orange, pink and purple, Japanese cranes flew back to their sleeping ground in the nearby river.

Still in the Village

It has been snowing quite a bit here in Tsurui Village.

Japanese cranes are still hanging out in the village and soon they will fly back to the marshland to mate and raise the baby in the summer.

Here is a shot from today. A crane looking for something to eat in the river.

Ezo Owl

It's been sometime to post the new entry.

I usually go out and take photos everyday, but I have been lazy...

Here is a photo of the Ezo owl from Hokkaido I took yesterday.



Sitting on the favorite tree, it is taking afternoon nap before going to hunt for the night.