Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan Dec 30, 2025

Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan

In Japan"s colder months, there"s a morning moment when stillness breaks—not with wind or footsteps, but with a bright, rolling call that sweeps across the water. Whooper swans have touched down. One loud whoop—and winter suddenly feels awake. These birds migrate from Siberia and the Russian Far East, choosing Japan as their seasonal home because its lakes offer what long-distance travellers crave: open water, steady food and a safe place to rest. One of their favourite destinations is Kotoku Pond in the Kantō region on Japan"s largest island.

© Martin Bailey/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

This snow will never melt
Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 14, 2025Lathmar Holi
Jul 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Sep 26, 2023Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Stunning symmetry
Nov 30, 2023Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Jan 2, 2025Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland
Feb 11, 2025Yungang Grottoes, Datong, China
Feb 16, 2024Female pyrrhuloxia in Texas, USA
Feb 3, 2025Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
Your TEA comes from here!
A bridge that holds up history
Scenic Mount Michener
May 1, 2025Maharashtra Day
Jul 18, 2024Coral Reef Awareness Week
Jan 9, 2024Gayathri Reservoir, Karnataka, India
Jan 4, 2025Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam
Jan 18, 2024Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
A mirror reflecting natures beauty
Jun 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Sep 22, 2023World Rhinoceros Day
Nimble and stealthy
Sep 10, 2024Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal
Oct 13, 2025Fishing boat on beach in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
A grove glows green
Aug 11, 2024Wooden path to Kennedy Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada
Winter wonderland for your wallet
Season of light in the City of Light
Frosty Finland
Jan 14, 2024Whooper swans
Getting starry-eyed at the moon