Drift ice spreads across the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in winter Hokkaido. Against this silvery-white sea, photos of a Steller's sea eagle taken in Rausu Town, Shiretoko, are gaining attention on social media. The pictures, capturing a powerful moment of flight over the ice-covered sea, have captivated many.

The photos show the sea of drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle soaring above it. This dynamic natural scenery, unique to winter in Hokkaido, has garnered comments on social media like "Stunningly beautiful," "So cool!" and "Wonderful photos."

"I was deeply moved," says photographer Koki Ueda, based in Niigata

A Steller's sea eagle soaring in the Okhotsk sky

These pictures were taken by Koki Ueda, a photographer based in Niigata. Reflecting on this shot, taken in the early morning of February 9, 2026, in Rausu Town, Ueda says, "Seeing the eagle take flight up close, illuminated by the morning sun, was a very moving experience."

Ueda, who traveled from Niigata to Shiretoko specifically for this shoot, says it was "a very satisfying trip." Even as signs of spring begin to appear on Japan's main island of Honshu, winter in Hokkaido continues. The sight of drift ice and wildlife converging is a special scene that can only be witnessed at this time of year.