Steller’s Sea Eagles are in the top five most fierce diurnal birds on Earth, which is why they are such formidable hunters, tracking prey since the age of the dinosaurs. They have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, never needing to evolve. During my annual Hokkaido photo tour, when I hear the call of the Steller’s Sea Eagle, I close my eyes and give thanks for once again hearing the call that has echoed unchanged since before we humans evidently walked upright. Wow, that sure is quite the achievement, and I would hate to run into a prehistoric cousin of the Steller’s Sea Eagle, such as the Quetzalcoatlus Northropi that were flying a little further south than the Steller’s Sea Eagle. The Quetzalcoatlus Northropi had a wingspan of up to 13.7 meters (45 ft) and weighed between 200 - 260 kg (440 - 570 lbs.), and apparently, they may have lived inland and eaten meat. While conducting research, I discovered that this prehistoric raptor presumably ate unprotected young dinosaurs as a snack. I’m sorry to quell your prehistoric raptor dreams of flight, but it has not been proven that this bird at its most massive size could fly. They were definitely contemporaries of the Steller’s Sea Eagle. By comparison, the Steller’s Sea Eagles have a tiny wingspan of up to 250 cm (8 - 9 ft), but one distinction the Steller’s have is that they are not extinct, a living prehistoric relic. One time while on assignment in a chopper photographing volcanic complexes between Japan and Russia, I caught sight of what I initially thought was a Thunderbird or Quetzalcoatlus Northropi, but it turned out to be the most enormous Steller’s Sea Eagle I had ever laid eyes on. The wingspan could have been between 10 - 12 feet, but, unfortunately, the Steller’s Sea Eagle wouldn’t land so that I could break out my measuring tape, and we couldn’t have shared some of its freshly caught fish. The rice, wasabi, salmon, and soy sauce for our sashimi lunch in the chopper would have been an excellent complement to the bounty of fresh fish the Steller’s Sea Eagle had already caught, but the prehistoric dinosaur relic had a fully booked itinerary, I imagine. You know places to be, prey to find and hunt. Excuse the pun! The Steller's Sea Eagle prefers a diet of trout, salmon, or other fish but will eat sea lions or land animals when fishing is slow. When the fishing is slow, there have been reports of house pets gone missing, and young children are always attended to when outside.
I’m looking forward to my annual Hokkaido photo tour. My 2022 wildlife winter wonderland workshop, including Mt. Fuji, plus Japan's most ancient power vortex Shinto shrine complex, an original Samurai Castle, and snow monkeys, plus we are staying at the Ryokan that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. And let's not forget in Hokkaido, we have the Red-crowned cranes who stand at 4 feet tall or more, white-tailed eagles, Shima enaga, great spotted woodpecker, Eizo Sika deer, Blakiston's fish owl, ezo red fox, and many others.
Sorry in February 2022, I am full, but you may contact me to be put on the waitlist. For February 2023, I have two spots open. Book now to reserve your spot to see the prehistoric relics with your own eyes. The remaining two spots will sell out, so the sooner you make your reservation, the better. There are plenty of other tour operators in the Hokkaido area, but a great many of them have only spent a week or two at the most scouting the region; please do your research before booking; safety is paramount. If I am fully booked, please feel free to contact me, and I will recommend another photography workshop company as we are a tight-knit community in the region and look out for one another.
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