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:

Up and away!
A window to the Pacific
Jun. 28, 2024Stonewall uprising anniversary
Jun. 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Oct. 2, 2024Autumn in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon
Apr. 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
A snapshot of Spring
Mar. 25, 2025Tolkien Reading Day
A sea of humanity
Jan. 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Pretty in pink
May 17, 2024Endangered Species Day
Mar. 13, 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya
The lungs of Earth
Mar. 25, 2026Forgetmenot Pond, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
Were halfway there
Stop and smell the Sakura
Apr. 5, 2026Easter Sunday
Mar. 5, 2026Evening over Göreme, Cappadocia, Türkiye
King of the jungle? Nope
Napping near the North Pole
Dec. 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
A salty situation
Jewel of the Adriatic
Say hello to these halophytes!
Feb. 4, 2026Red kite in snow
Feb. 27, 2026International Polar Bear Day
Jan. 11, 2025Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
May 11, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Jun. 14, 2025Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Italy