I went to Shiretoko to photograph the Steller's sea eagles and drift ice🦅
Rausu, Hokkaido 📷 Feb. 2026

Photo courtesy of @fuehrsn

The photograph shows the sea of drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle gliding above it. This dynamic natural scene, unique to Hokkaido in winter, has garnered comments on social media such as "Incredibly beautiful," "So cool!," and "What a wonderful photo."

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

A Steller's sea eagle soars through the sky over the Sea of Okhotsk

The photographer behind this stunning image is Koki Ueda, who is based in Niigata. Reflecting on the shot taken in the early morning of February 9, 2026, in Rausu, Ueda says, "Seeing the eagle take flight up close, illuminated by the morning sun, was a deeply moving experience."

Ueda, who traveled from Niigata to Shiretoko specifically for this photoshoot, describes it as "a very satisfying trip." While signs of spring may be appearing on Japan's main island of Honshu, winter in Hokkaido continues. The sight of drift ice and wildlife converging is a special spectacle that can only be witnessed at this time of year.