Lake Kussharo Part 2

After visit to Sunayu beach, we continue to another free entry of public onsen at Kotan onsen.

 Is just a short walking distance from the car park.

 We are not here for the onsen but the scenery. This couple make a perfect subject to my photo.

 Due to the hotspring near the edge of the lake, this part of the lake is free from the frozen ice.

 Is one of the good spot to watch Whooper swan.

Obviously, Mallard ducks are not good at walking on icy surface. They have problem balance themselves.

Falcated Duck was a surprise visitor that day.

May be common to see Eurasian Tree Sparrow in Singapore, but the sparrow here looks bigger during winter.

 The first time I seen a Brown-eared Bulbul was back in 2009 when I visit Japan for the first time.

See another old friend here, an Eurasian Nuthatch.

Lake Kussharo Part 1

After happy with my encounter with the Red-Crowned Crane, is time to go to another must visit on my list for my Hokkaido trip - Lake Kussharo!

Lake Kussharo is the lagest crater lake in Japan and most part are frozen during winter. Only certain part of the lake where hot springs are gushing out around the shore prevent the lake from frozen totally.

The grass around the lake are covered with a layer of razor thin ice!

Saw this ice spike on one of the tree near the car park. This looks to be a good spot to watch birds that per form their stunt move to drink water from the bottom of the ice.

This may not be common in Singapore but is rather a common scene here especially during winter to move snow from the road surface.

There are several free public onsen such as here at Sunayu beach.

This part of the lake is not frozen during winter and provide good view point for landscape photography.

 You may have your own onsen here by digging the sand to form your own hotspring pool.

 Snow capped mountain with blue sky and water. What a beautiful scenery.

 Another photo of the island Nakajima right in the middle of Lake Kussharo.

This Wooper swan swin pass at the right time to make my trip here even more memorable!

Red Crowned Crane

Red crowned crane is often featured in myths and legends across Japan, China and Korea.

There are martial arts that developed from observing the crane's movements, methods of attack and spirit.

 The most common style is the flapping of wings.

 It is most useful during close-quarter combat.

 Another most recognisable move is the way the cranes peck.

There is another branch off martial art over time such as Shouting or Calling Crane (Crane's honking).

In China, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are often depicted riding on cranes. A mortal who attains immortality is similarly carried off by a crane. The red-crowned crane are known as xian-he (crane of the immortals).

 This photo was taken from a Chinese funeral.

The immortals are carried by the crane acting as messenger to send the immortals to heaven.

Red Crown Crane of Hokkaido

Can't remember when did I first learn to fold a crane origami. 

It was believed that by folding one thousand cranes, the wish would come true. My wish is to be able to see this mystical creature that live for a thousand years.

When I see the sign asking driver to look out for crane on the road, I know my wish will come true real soon.

After freezing cold this morning at Otowa Bridge, we proceed to Tsurui Ito Red Crowned Crane Sanctuary.

 Yes. The number of cranes can sometime exceed thousands during winter.

 Red crowned crane is among one of the largest crane standing at about 1.5m tall.

 Red crowned crane is often featured in myths and legends across Japan, China and Korea.

 They are the symbol of longevity and immortality.

 I can stand here whole day watching them preening, honking and perform the courtship dance.

A close up look of red crowned crane.