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.

Freezing Cold on Otowa Bridge at 4am

When we arrived at our first birding location around 4am, it was already packed with visitors with all the long lens. I am not surprise at all as this is one of the most popular photography spot in the world.

It is a bridge that across Setsuri River which provide a glimpse of the roosting place of one of the world's rarest crane in the world.

The temperature on the bridge is about -16 degrees Celsius. This is my very first time shooting in such a low temperature. My camera still work as per normal but not my lens. The motor of the hyper-sonic drives just not working as per normal. This result in photos taken are out of focus.

The best time to shoot is during sun rise where the mist from the river with snowy background turn orange.

Otowa Bridge, where the Setsuri River flows through Tsurui Village.

The bridge offers spectacular views of the red-crowned cranes shrouded in river mist. More than half of the world's population of Red Crown Crane can be found here in Hokkaido, Japan.

Red Crown cranes are monogamous and pair for life.

Is just too cold to stay on the bridge, so we cut short our trip and head to convenient shop for breakfast.