Japan’s Winter Wildlife: When the Frost Lies White

A red-crowned crane (Grus japonicus) flies through falling snow. Hokkaido, Japan. IUCN Red List: Endangered Species
A pair of red-crowned cranes (Grus Japonensis) doing a “unison” call.
A red-crowned cranes, or Japanese crane (Grus Japonensis), engaged in a courtship dance.
Whooper swans vocalize on frozen Lake Kussharo.
Large tufted ears grace an alert-looking snow-dusted Hokkaido squirrel in profile.
A snow monkey or Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) soaks in a hot spring pool while a companion grooms her. Jigokudani, Nagano Pref., Japan. IUCN Red List: LC
An White-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla albicilla) perched on sea ice at sunrise.
A pair of sika deer (Cervus nippon) nuzzle at water’s edge.
Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonicus) awaking at dawn on the mist covered Setsuri River, Hokkaido, Japan. IUCN Red List: Endangered Species
Whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) stir in the early morning light.
A willow tit (Parus montanus) perches on a tree branch as snow falls.
A cormorant (Phalacrocorax sp.) flies near a cliff at sunrise.
Snow Monkey or Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata) adult with young on its back.
Snow Monkey or Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)