BLOG - Blain Harasymiw

Hokkaido Photo Tour 2024 - The Ainu First Nations People of Japan

APR

02

2023

Hokkaido Photo Tour 2024 - The Ainu ...

I always introduce The First Nations People of Japan, The Ainu, to my participants during my annual Hokkaido Photo Tours. Their scared beliefs ...

MAR

28

2023

Lacebark Pine (Pinus bungeana) Hokkaido ...

Photographing on my annual Hokkaido photo tour, or any of my Japan workshop tours means chasing the light with camera in hand daily, and believe me, ...

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

08

2023

Hokkaido Photo Tour Minimalist ...

Minimalisms landscape photography is an all-time favorite theme of mine. And one of the best spots on our planet to successfully conduct this theme ...

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

05

2023

Hokkaido Cherry Blossom Photo Tour - ...

Scouting and exploring the Tohoku region for the upcoming JDS Hokkaido Cherry Blossom Photo Tour has led our photo workshop leaders into Akita. ...

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

26

2023

Hokkaido Wildlife Photo Workshop Tour - ...

I am currently leading my annual Hokkaido photo workshop which includes Mt. Fuji, Snow Monkey park, investigating the World of the Samurai, and ...

FEB

21

2023

Hokkaido Photo Tour - Today at Mt. Fuji

I am currently at Mt. Fuji leading my annual Mt. Fuji, Snow Monkey, World of the Samurai, and Hokkaido Wildlife Birding Landscape Photography ...

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

13

2022

Hokkaido Photo Workshop Tour - ...

Having more then 35 years experience as a pro photographer, and in that time I have spent more than two decades living and photographing on ...

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

13

2022

Hokkaido Photo tour - Autumn in ...

Our workshop leader enjoys Hokkaido Photo Workshop tours in all seasons. Hokkaido in Autumn is spectacular, especially during the first ...

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 ...

SEP

30

2022

Hokkaido Tour - Japan Photography ...

Currently, I am on Japan most Northern Island leading a private Hokkaido Autumn photography workshop. In the coming days we will visit the ...

AUG

23

2022

Prehistoric Raptors - Haast’s Eagle ...

The Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), is one of the largest and most fierce diurnal birds on Earth; and they are the main reason why my ...

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

13

2022

My Japanese Stone Garden - An ...

One of my many hobbies is collecting stones, and I have been a rockhound since I was about six years old. I especially enjoy collecting turquoise, ...

MAY

06

2022

Shiretoko National Park - Kazu I Tour ...

Shiretoko National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, (知床国立公園, Shiretoko Kokuritsu Kōen), Shiretoko is known by the First Nations people of Japan, 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, ...

MAR

31

2022

Steller's Sea Eagles Pack Ice still in ...

Pack ice is a mainstay for my annual Hokkaido Photography workshops because some of the fiercest diurnal predators on the earth, Steller's Sea Eagles ...

MAR

01

2022

Hokkaido Birding Photo Workshops - ...

C. c. Kamtschaticus, the Kamchatkan Raven, and Common Ravens (Corvus Corax) are often overlooked, but they are one of the most intelligent wildlife ...

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 ...

JAN

09

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tour - Choose Your Own ...

While leading my annual Hokkaido wildlife photo workshop expedition, my exceptions and safety precautions are paramount, and I have a checklist with ...

JAN

04

2022

Hokkaido Photo Tour’s Crimson Hunters - ...

Hokkaido is a wildlife photography paradise, and around this time each year, I begin triple-checking all my camera equipment in preparation for my ...

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

30

2021

Prelude to Blain Harasymiw's 2nd Photo ...

I opened my discussion where I left off from the last photo conversation with John Cornicello at the Japanese Ryokan that inspired Hayao Miyazaki to ...

JUL

29

2021

Ezo Sika Deer An Off the Beaten Path ...

Those who are uninitiated in a wildlife safari or who have yet to lace up their boots and set those boots to ground with me on my Annual Hokkaido ...

JUL

16

2021

Kushiro Wetlands & The Red-crowned ...

Visiting the Kushiro Wetlands is always part of my annual Hokkaido Winter Birding Photography Workshop. In Hokkaido, I chase the light ...

JUL

09

2021

Whooper Swans Aplenty - Niigata Birding ...

If Whooper Swan birding photography is your goal for your Birding Photography Tour, then going to Hokkaido is a mistake. Hokkaido Winter Birding ...

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 ...

APR

15

2021

Japan’s Cultural and Wild Frontiers - ...

An Excerpt From An Article Recently Published on Luminous Landscapes Every photography tour workshop itinerary offered has sunshine and rainbows ...

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

27

2021

Japan Cherry Blossom Tour - A ...

After completing my annual Cross country cherry blossom photography tour workshops which start in mid-March and are completed in mid-April, I take ...

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

05

2021

The Ezo Red Fox - Hokkaido Photography ...

The Ezo Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki) is a subspecies of red fox that thrives in Hokkaido. And are a species that are highlighted on my annual ...

OCT

29

2020

Ainu - Residents of Hokkaido and First ...

The Ainu once struggled to preserve their dignity and cultural identity, but in 2006, under international pressure, some invariably linked to the ...

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 ...

OCT

04

2020

Heartfelt Sunrise on a Hokkaido Photo ...

I love photography and videography, and that means I have to be diligent and chase the light. Chasing the light has taken me all over the world and ...

SEP

29

2020

Largest Herd of Ezo Sika Deer Ever ...

Imagine standing almost to face to face with the largest herd of Ezo Sika Deer on our planet, with camera in hand, on a Hokkaido photo tour. ...

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

26

2020

Minimalist Snowy Landscape and Wildlife ...

Minimalist photography is one of my all-time favorite themes of photography. And the best place I have found on our planet to accomplish ...

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

29

2020

Mating Rituals of the Red-Crowned ...

I can think of no other bird gentler or more romantic than the Red-Crowned Cranes, which are one of the main species that I introduce to visiting ...

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 ...

JUN

29

2020

Lake Mashu - Akan National Park ...

Lake Mashu is located in Akan National park on Japan's, northern island Hokkaido. I have a summer cottage in the area, and I usually would be there ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

FEB

19

2020

Dragons and the World of the Samurai - ...

I am currently leading my annual Hokkaido, Mt. Fuji, Snow Monkey, World of Samurai, and birding in Hokkaido featuring several of Hokkaido’s ...

FEB

16

2020

Hokkaido Winter Wonderland Photo Tour - ...

I am currently in Mt. Fuji leading my annual Mt. Fuji, Snow Monkey, World of Samurai, and Hokkaido Wildlife Birding Landscape Photography Workshop ...

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 ...

DEC

08

2019

Mt. Fuji Photo Tours - Expecting the ...

The Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) Photography Workshop Leaders commonly check in with the rest of staff when leading a tour to give some feedback about how ...

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 ...

OCT

01

2019

Hokkaido Photography Workshops - ...

Leading a Hokkaido Winter Wildlife Photography Workshop represents a huge amount of responsibility, and the first responsibility above all others is ...

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 ...

AUG

15

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tours - Wildlife ...

Many photographers and enthusiasts join Hokkaido Photo Tour to take pictures of the amazing birding photo ops that exist all over Japan’s ...

AUG

12

2019

Japan Private Photo Tours - Japanese ...

Nothing captures the fusion of tradition with modern accents more than Japanese Festivals, specifically Japanese Street Dance Festivals. One ...

AUG

09

2019

Hokkaido Birding Photo Tours - The ...

Every winter, I begin to look forward to guiding clients on one the Hokkaido Birding Photo Tours planned during the season. My expeditions have ...

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

23

2019

Hokkaido Photo Tour - Wildlife ...

Wildlife Photography Tours have the potential to be absolutely phenomenal for visiting photographers to Japan. The only concern is actually capturing ...

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 ...