The Sankei Shimbun 
Steller's sea eagles near Rausu Town, Hokkaido, on the early morning of March 5.
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In the waters off Rausu Town, overlooking the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido — a UNESCO World Heritage site — Steller's sea eagles have arrived to spend the winter. These eagles are a nationally designated natural monument.
A Majestic Sight at Dawn
Early on the morning of March 5, the majestic birds rested on the drift ice, their feathers glowing in the soft light of sunrise. When they spread their impressive wings and soared into the sky, passengers on the sightseeing boat instinctively raised their cameras, eager to capture the moment.
Steller's sea eagles typically breed in the Russian Far East. With a wingspan of over two meters, they gathered around the drift ice zone about five kilometers off the coast of Rausu Port, swooping down to snatch up bait tossed from the boat.
White-tailed eagles — also a designated natural monument — appeared in smaller numbers. Beyond the drift ice, orca pods could be seen swimming in the open waters.
A self-employed woman from Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture, who had come to see the eagles, said, "The sight of them in flight was breathtaking. When I visited last month, there was no drift ice. Seeing this incredible landscape now was deeply moving."
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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