On the most recent Hokkaido photography workshop adventure, the JDS Hokkaido photo workshop leader spent three days on a chartered vessel focusing on raptors and other Hokkaido avian wildlife. One raptor that commands attention in the field is the Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). These incredible raptors are among the largest diurnal birds of prey in the world. With an average weight of up to 10 kg (22 pounds), they are the heaviest raptors on Earth, standing nearly 94 cm (3 feet) tall and boasting a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet); their commanding presence is a sight to behold. Males and females share the same striking plumage—a mix of blackish-brown with white accents on their shoulders, rump, tail, thighs, and forehead—combined with their massive yellow, razor-sharp hooked bills, making them both fearsome predators and majestic photographic subjects. Their sheer power and unrelenting pursuit of prey are mesmerizing to witness and capture through the lens. Males and females are virtually indistinguishable, but females are generally 20 to 30 percent heavier.

A few years ago, the JDS Hokkaido photo workshop leader photographed a Steller's Sea Eagle believed to have a wingspan eclipsing 3 meters (10 feet), spotted from a chartered helicopter while on assignment capturing landscape shots between Hokkaido and Russia. Suddenly, an enormous blur of white and black strafed the aircraft. Both the pilot and our JDS Hokkaido photo workshop leader were astounded at the size of the monstrous Steller's Sea Eagle, which could have been the largest Steller's Sea Eagle on the planet ever photographed. Still, this year in Hokkaido, another remarkable sighting occurred—a female juvenile Steller's Sea Eagle that is predicted to eventually take the title of the largest Steller's ever spotted. The attached photo provides a glimpse of its immense size.

With its wings spread wide and its enormous body, this massive Steller's Sea Eagle's presence is already imposing. Once fully matured, it will become an even more formidable pack ice combatant and hunter than it already is. The JDS Hokkaido photo workshop leader looks forward to hopefully spotting this giant raptor again next year, predicting it to be at least 50 percent bigger than other Steller's Sea Eagles. The anticipation of returning to the deck of a chartered vessel or perhaps riding in a zodiac boat adds to the excitement. With an average life expectancy of 20 to 25 years, there will be many more chances to have another encounter with this giant raptor.

Steller's Sea Eagles have survived nearly unchanged for millennia, and each sighting in Hokkaido is a reminder of their enduring legacy. As an amateur historian, JDS Hokkaido photo workshop leader also reflects on the rich lore surrounding birds of prey. Imagining a human-sized raptor similar to the Steller's Sea Eagle brings to mind ancient creatures such as the Quetzalcoatlus northropi, with a wingspan of 10 meters (33 feet). These prehistoric predators were not selective about their meals, and their legacy continues to intrigue. Even today, tales of mythical "thunderbirds" echo through Indigenous peoples' oral traditions. These birds, deeply revered as spiritual beings, symbolize the power and mystery of nature. While the dream of photographing a thunderbird remains elusive, capturing the magic of the Steller's Sea Eagles in Hokkaido is more than fulfilling. Each year, this workshop offers new opportunities to connect with the natural world and its legends. Looking beyond Hokkaido, the wonders of Japan continue to inspire.