BLOG - Blain Harasymiw

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Blakiston’s Fish Owls (B. b. blakistoni)

MAR

13

2023

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Blakiston’s Fish ...

Another Field Report from JDS's Main Hokkaido Photo Workshop Leader! During my annual Hokkaido birding wildlife workshop tours, I usually visit ...

MAR

07

2023

Steller’s Sea Eagle Aerial Warfare

When I find myself among one of the largest diurnal birds of prey in the world, I know I’m in raptor country leading my annual Hokkaido, Mt. ...

MAR

01

2023

The Red-Crowned Cranes - Wow! Get ...

I will spend the next few blue and golden hours in the Kushiro Wetlands leading my annual Hokkaido Birding Wildlife workshop tour photographing ...

FEB

12

2023

Hokkaido Birding Photo Workshops - ...

Being in Hokkaido for my annual Hokkaido birding wildlife photo workshop tour means spotting and photographing The White-tailed ...

JAN

22

2023

Happy Shimaenaga Day❤️

January 20th is the coldest day in winter, and the Japan Anniversary Association set this day Shima Enaga day, due to these fluffy adorable cotton ...

JAN

05

2023

Hokkaido Photo Workshops - Steller’s ...

Steller's sea eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus) are known to be the most powerful and aggressive of their closest relatives, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus ...

DEC

28

2022

Hokkaido Birding Photo Tour - Steller’s ...

I have been leading Hokkaido birding photo workshop tours for more than two decades, plus I keep a cottage in the region, and I am a Hokkaido ...

DEC

02

2022

Steller’s Sea Eagles - Hokkaido Photo ...

The Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is the heaviest and one of the most fierce raptors on our planet, one that I spot and photograph ...

NOV

28

2022

Hokkaido, Japan’s Endemic Raptor - The ...

The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is also known as the White-tailed sea eagle, Gray eagle, and Eurasian sea eagle is one raptor of many I ...

OCT

09

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tour Workshop - ...

My annual Hokkaido birding tour always includes Steller's Sea Eagles Haliaeetus pelagicus), which can be spotted and photographed from Rausu to ...

AUG

13

2022

The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) ...

The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), (Japanese カラス), is specific to Southeast Asia, and most prevalent in Japan. During my annual ...

MAY

05

2022

Species of Japan - The Kawazusakura ...

Kawazuzakura is the earliest blooming Sakura in Japan. The Kawazuzakura/Cherry Blossom tree is well known in the Izu Peninsula and blooms in ...

APR

30

2022

The Fugenzo Cherry Blossom (Cerasus ...

The Fugenzo Cherry Blossom (Cerasus lannesiana ‘Albo-rosea' Makino) is one of the Oshima Satozakura cherry blossom cultivars that my ...

APR

22

2022

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Feeding Habits - ...

When most people think of cherry blossoms and birding, most would not even consider photographing together one of the top 10 most populous birds, the ...

APR

16

2022

The Challenge of Zen Minimalist ...

During my annual Hokkaido Minimalist Wildlife Photography Workshop Tour, the weather always plays a huge factor. I have experienced snowstorms, ...

FEB

15

2022

ALERT - Kawazu Sakura/Cherry Blossoms ...

The Kawazu Sakura is among the earliest blooming cherry blossom flower in Japan. These trees bloom annually in the first or second week of February ...

FEB

07

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tour - The Always ...

As many professional photographers will tell you, it’s the small details that sometimes have the largest impact, and one of those small, ...

JAN

31

2022

Rustic Bunting - Hokkaido Photo Tour

The Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica) is a passerine bird in the bunting family; their appearance is similar to the Chipping sparrow. ...

JAN

29

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tour Steller's Sea Eagle ...

One Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) has spent almost an entire year hunting far, far from home. One Steller’s Sea Eagle ...

JAN

20

2022

Hokkaido Birding Photography Tour - ...

Hokkaido’s Red-crowned cranes, often called snow ballerinas or tancho in Japanese, that I photograph during my annual Hokkaido birding photo ...

JAN

14

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Hokkaido’s ...

The White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is one of dozens of birds that participants spot and photograph when they join my annual ...

DEC

19

2021

Hokkaido Red Tides & Unintended ...

The worst Red Tide in recorded history struck Hokkaido this autumn. Its shockwaves especially for the fishing industry, which lost over 17 ...

NOV

28

2021

Hokkaido Bird Watching Photo Workshops ...

A stunning bird to photograph in the snow is the Shima Enaga (Parus caudatus), one of the dozens of birds I look forward to photographing on my ...

NOV

24

2021

Steller's Sea Eagle Birding Hokkaido, ...

A fellow photographer friend of the family and colleague who often assists me on my annual Hokkaido photo tours called to say hello and that she was ...

OCT

21

2021

Hokkaido Bird Watching Photography ...

Hokkaido wildlife tours and Japan photography workshops are a birding and nature lover’s paradise. Sometimes, the smaller wildlife somehow gets ...

OCT

19

2021

Shima Enaga Hokkaido Photography Tour ...

One of the locations in Japan I call home is Hokkaido, and I love to visit as often as I can, especially for my annual Hokkaido photo tour that ...

OCT

14

2021

Hokkaido Photography Tour VS Niigata ...

During a balmy afternoon at my 100-year-old kominka in Niigata last week, I heard the unmistakable call of a flock of Whooper Swans as they flew over ...

OCT

09

2021

Sweet Adorable Little Puffballs - ...

My annual Hokkaido Photo Tour Birding Adventure Workshop features many of Hokkaido’s breathtaking airborne wildlife such as Steller’s Sea ...

OCT

01

2021

Migratory and Sub Regional Endemic ...

I count myself as fortunate that I can enjoy photographing Red-Crowned Cranes during my annual Hokkaido photo tour Wildlife Bird-spotting Expedition. ...

SEP

21

2021

Preserving the Dance of The Red-Crowned ...

When I explain to visiting photographers about the Red-Crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis), which are just one of the dozens of wildlife species we ...

SEP

07

2021

Steller's Sea Eagle Hokkaido Birding ...

Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is one of the most fierce diurnal birds on Earth, one I photograph while they hunt on the pack ...

AUG

06

2021

Hokkaido Minimalist Photography - ...

Leading my annual Hokkaido Wildlife Minimalist Photo Adventure allows to focus on so many different themes within the category of visual arts. ...

JUL

05

2021

Hokkaido Photography Workshops - ...

My annual Hokkaido Photo Workshop is a bonanza of avian wildlife. Steller’s Sea Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, Glaucous Gulls, Whooper ...

JUN

28

2021

John Cornicello presents - Once wasn't ...

John Cornicello presents - Once wasn't enough! - Blain Harasymiw Vol. ll July 22nd, 10 am Pacific Daily Savings Time (2 am July 23rd JST) As a ...

MAY

30

2021

Okutainai Birding and Forest Therapy on ...

Part of what appeals to participants when they join a private Niigata Photo Workshop is the unexplored and untouched wilderness spread out all over ...

MAR

25

2021

Hokkaido Wildlife Tour - Shima Enaga A ...

Hokkaido wildlife tours and Japan photography workshops are a birding and nature lover’s paradise. Tens of thousands of visitors annually ...

MAR

09

2021

From Steller’s Sea Eagles to Sakura - ...

If social distancing were already a thing of the past in 2021, I would be enjoying a little downtime after my annual Hokkaido tour winter wonderland. ...

FEB

25

2021

America’s Emblematic Raptor Pays ...

During my annual Hokkaido Photo Workshops, one of my highlights is the Battle Royale that breaks out every year between the local wildlife, the ...

FEB

11

2021

The Steller's Sea Eagle - An Ice Age ...

An Excerpt from our recently published article with Luminous Landscape A magical bird that has graced my presence during my annual Hokkaido ...

JAN

27

2021

Lake Akanko Birding - Blakiston’s Fish ...

The Ainu are an essential part of Japan, and they were pushed north from mainland Japan to Hokkaido, a nearly forgotten part of history dating before ...

JAN

19

2021

Glaucous Gull - Hokkaido Photo Tours ...

My annual Hokkaido photography tour is a birding photographer’s paradise. Out on the pack ice, I witness an energetic drama with an ...

JAN

13

2021

Sado Island Effect - Niigata Coastline ...

The sheltering effect of Sado Island on wind waves off Niigata city’s coast is the reason why the capital city was built where it was. ...

NOV

23

2020

Birding Photography Medley of Mejiro ...

I usually don’t return directly after my annual winter Hokkaido Photo Tour has completed, but last year I did, and I brought along my Hokkaido ...

OCT

11

2020

Steller's Sea Eagle Hokkaido Birding ...

While organizing and cataloging the photos from my last Hokkaido Photo Tour, I realized I had created a near perfect scene. On the top row of ...

SEP

22

2020

Shima Enaga - A Bonny Bird

A Report from our Veteran Photo Workshop Leader about Hokkaido's Birding Photography I love my second home in Hokkaido, Japan, And I love my ...

SEP

16

2020

Oriental Stork Revival - Japan Private ...

Many visiting photographers think that the best birding in Japan can only be found on a Hokkaido Photo Tour, and, honestly, I understand how people ...

SEP

07

2020

The Steller’s Sea Eagle Around Since ...

The Steller’ sea eagle is the champion of Raptors, glacial relics that have survived several ice ages. Somehow they seem immune to the ...

AUG

27

2020

Species of Hokkaido - Birding Paradise

Photographers who are new to Hokkaido and joining a Hokkaido Photo Tour with JDS may ask what type of species they may see while visiting ...

AUG

17

2020

Japan's Ecological Lines and Wildlife ...

One of my favorite places on earth to experience these themes simultaneously is in the North of Japan, during my annual group Hokkaido Photo Tour ...

JUL

16

2020

Anyone Can Photograph a Bird on a Stick ...

One the hardest photos to successfully capture in nature photography is a bird in flight, but anyone can capture a bird on a stick, or can they? If ...

JUL

13

2020

Bird Banding - Supposing Bird ...

Bird banding is one of the our most successful tools in our abilities to study wild birds, and support bird conservation worldwide, as birds cross ...

JUN

23

2020

Hokkaido Photo Tour - Mating ...

JUN

21

2020

Hokkaido Wildlife Photo Tour - ...

Making preparations for my annual Hokkaido photography tour takes about two weeks with special care; my pro-support team and I leave nothing to ...

JUN

19

2020

Steller's Sea Eagle and The ...

A Report from Our Veteran Hokkaido Photo Workshop Leader The Pacific Coast in Hokkaido from Nemuro to Rausu Shiretoko National Park is Raptor ...

JUN

17

2020

Species of Hokkaido, Japan - The Pygmy ...

Hokkaido Photo Tours are always a tour de force of wildlife species, including birding photographers. The Steller's Sea Eagle, the ...

JUN

13

2020

Species of Hokkaido, Japan - The ...

Enjoying a Hokkaido Photo Workshop means knowing some of the species you'll photograph. Today's focus is the White-tailed Eagle! This mature ...

JUN

10

2020

Hokkaido's Many Appeals

Many think of Hokkaido only for the Hokkaido Winter Photo Workshops, but Hokkaido holds many breathtaking photo ops all year round. One of ...

MAY

15

2020

Tempting the Fates and Gods in Hokkaido ...

Today's Newsletter is a Retelling of a Harrowing Experience During a Hokkaido Wildlife Photography Workshop The sun had just set, and I had ...

MAY

09

2020

Hardcore Birders & Photographers

Today, we're posting an update from our veteran photo workshop leader regarding his experience with birding and photography.I love photography ...

APR

01

2020

Shima Enaga - Long Tailed Bushtit - ...

Shima-Enaga is one of my favorite birds on our planet, and they are a sweetheart looking “Bonnie of a Bird,” and they have a uniquely ...

MAR

12

2020

Kyushu Private Photography Workshop ...

I am currently in Kyushu for a few weeks on a private photography workshop/tour with a client who joined my Hokkaido Winter Wonderland Wildlife ...

FEB

24

2020

Hokkaido Photo Workshop - Steller’s Sea ...

I am currently on the Pacific Coast in Raptor Country, leading my annual Hokkaido, Mt. Fuji, Snow Monkey, Landscape, Wildlife Extravaganza. The ...

FEB

22

2020

The Red-Crowned Cranes - Wow! Get ...

I am currently in the Kushiro Wetlands, in Hokkaido photographing The Red-Crowned Cranes, for the next few days, a segment of my ...

JAN

08

2020

Spring Cherry Blossom Photography Tour ...

Cherry Blossoms seen on Japan Photo Tours are one of the most noteworthy photographic sights second, perhaps, only to Mt. Fuji as an emblem of ...

JAN

03

2020

Hokkaido Photography Tour - Birding ...

On a bird watching photography workshop tour in Hokkaido, priority should be given to tracking the Steller's Sea Eagles, which can be seen from Rausu ...

DEC

28

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Snow Ballerinas ...

Red-crowned cranes appeal to our JDS’s veteran photo workshop guide for so many reasons. When he gears up for his annual pilgrimage to ...

NOV

27

2019

Versatility & Inspiration - Japan Photo ...

Leading Japan Photo Tours requires resourcefulness. No matter how vigilant at Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) Photo Workshop Leader is checking weather ...

OCT

06

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Blakiston’s Fish ...

Joining a Hokkaido Photo Tours mean witnessing and photographing natural treasures. The Blakiston’s Fish Owl is one of those treasures, ...

OCT

04

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Angels in Flight ...

Wildlife photography is a large part of most Hokkaido Photo Tours. The volume of red-tailed foxes, sika deer, and brown bears makes Hokkaido a ...

SEP

25

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Protecting the ...

Creating unforgettable and unique photo tour experiences during a Hokkaido Photo Workshop is always our primary concern at Japan Dreamscapes (JDS), ...

SEP

19

2019

Black Kites - Hokkaido Birding Photo ...

Black Kites are a Hokkaido resident, and they inhabit some of the same air space with the Steller’s Sea Eagle and the White-tailed Eagles that ...

SEP

04

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Birding Photo ...

Hokkaido Wildlife Photography Tours always include birding photography. On every photography adventure clients have hundreds of amazing up ...

JUL

29

2019

Hokkaido Birding Photography Tours - ...

A Hokkaido Birding Photo Tour expedition can be hosted from many different regions on Japan’s north island, but our most veteran Japan ...

JUL

21

2019

Hokkaido Photography Tour - Lake ...

When visiting photographers think of a Hokkaido Birding Photography Tour, the first avian idea that comes to mind is the Red-crowned crane, and they ...

JUL

16

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Birding ...

At the beginning of every year, our most veteran photo workshop leader gets excited about leading clients from January to March 2018 on Hokkaido ...

JUL

12

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - A Birding and ...

Hokkaido Photo Tours must include Red-Crowned Cranes. Our most veteran Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) photo workshop leader feels that Red-Crowned ...

JUL

06

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Wildlife, ...

Chinese and Japanese Spiritualists have championed the healing properties of nature for years. An experiment conducted in 2004 by ...

JUN

20

2019

Chasing Cherry Blossoms Photo Tour

Cherry blossoms photo tours carry added significance due to the fact that they are one of Japan’s cultural icons. Every year during ...

JUN

11

2019

Cherry Blossom Photo Tour - The Iconic ...

Cherry Blossom Photo Tours take the single most recognizable element of Japanese culture and make every photo op one you’ll always ...

MAY

06

2019

Hokkaido Winter Birding Tours - The ...

Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) Winter Birding Tours’ clients benefit from the more than 20 years of experience that our Photo Workshop Leaders ...

APR

21

2019

Hokkaido’s All-Inclusive Winter Birding ...

Hokkaido Winter Photo Tours are always breathtaking, especially so in the winter. The Japan Dreamscapes Photo Tour Leaders have spent years ...

APR

15

2019

Hokkaido Winter Birding Tour - Lake ...

Hokkaido Winter Birding Photo Tours means veering off the beaten paths and steering away from the major cities that most people associate with in ...

APR

08

2019

Hokkaido Winter Birding Tour - Tokachi ...

Many visitors are already being swept up in the frenzy of action, booking their Japan Photo Tours to coincide with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. And ...

MAR

15

2019

Kushiro Wetlands - Hokkaido Winter ...

When visiting the Kushiro Wetlands for your Hokkaido Winter Birding Photography Workshop, the all star of your visit will be the Red-crowned cranes ...

MAR

04

2019

Southern Hokkaido Birding Photo Tours

Southern Hokkaido Birding Photography Workshops showcase the treasure that is Japan’s north island. At the intersection of the Pacific ...

FEB

25

2019

Hokkaido Birding Photography Workshops ...

Hokkaido Birding Photography Workshops in the South East is sometimes referred to as a Birding Photography Paradise. One region in particular, ...

FEB

19

2019

Hokkaido Winter Birding Tours - Rare ...

Hokkaido Winter Birding Tours tend to gravitate around acutely focused species of birds. Steller’s Sea Eagles are magnificent during the ...

FEB

12

2019

Hokkaido Winter Birding Photo Tours

All year long, Hokkaido is a birding photographer dreamscape, especially during the winter months. Hokkaido Birding Photo Tours during the ...

JAN

28

2019

Inner Tainai Photography Workshop

Joining an Inner Tainai Photography Workshop means one thing, nature. Tainai is a city that has two distinct faces, the pleasant, pastoral town ...

JAN

26

2019

Lake Hyoko & Niigata Photography ...

Niigata Photography Workshops benefit from the abundance of nature that covers the prefecture in all directions. It is one of the reasons why ...

JAN

24

2019

Birding on Niigata Photo Tours

Niigata Photography Workshops have many appeals, and one of them is nature. At Sakata Park in the center of Niigata Prefecture, numerous ...

DEC

25

2018

Japanese White-Eye on Cherry Blossom ...

Cherry Blossom Photo Tours have more appeals than the cherry blossoms themselves. Birding can also be a part of your Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) ...

DEC

01

2018

Hokkaido Birding Tours

Every year, in the month of December, the Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) tour leaders depart for an essential tour, the Hokkaido Birding Photo Tour. ...

NOV

15

2018

Photography in Monbetsu, Hokkaido

North east on Japan’s north island, Hokkaido is a town of less than 25,000 people, Monbetsu. Photography in Monbetsu is well worth the ...

NOV

10

2018

Shiretoko Peninsula Winter Photography

Hokkaido boats many photo worthy locations among its expansive territorial reach north of the main island of Japan. One of the more noteworthy ...

OCT

23

2018

Hokkaido Photography

Hokkaido Photography is commonly associated with the winter season, and there’s an excellent reason why. If you do a quick Google search ...

OCT

11

2018

Hokkaido is Breathtaking

Hokkaido is breathtaking, especially in winter. Certain trees and low-lying foliage quickly give in to the snow and strong winds and go into ...

OCT

06

2018

Winter in Hokkaido

Some photographers stay away from cold landscapes such as winter in Hokkaido and remain in warmer areas to do birding photography or landscape ...

JUL

22

2018

Welcome To Japan Dreamscapes!

Welcome to you! Here you will find our latest updates on tour related news, deals and some amazing tour posts.We're just updating our content right ...