Hokkaido Birding Photo Workshop's Snow Ballerinas - The Red-Crowned Cranes

On the JDS annual Hokkaido birding photo tour, no other bird is gentler or more romantic than the Red-Crowned Cranes, which are one of the main species that are introduced to visiting international photographers.  The Red-Crowned Crane (Grus japonensis), タンショウ(Tancho) in Japanese, stands at 150 to 158 cm (4ft to 5 ft) tall weighing 8 to 11 kg (17 to 25) pounds with an amazingly large wingspan measuring 200 to 260 cm (6.5 ft to 8.5 ft) and live more than 60 years.  These gentle giants, also known as the snow ballerinas, show so much grace while performing their courtship dance. The Red-crowned Cranes are also considered symbols of fidelity which undoubtedly comes from their long-pair bonding. Their dancing rituals are where the appellation ‘snow ballerina’ comes from, and when you see two Red-crowned Cranes begin their courtship dance. The choreography of the dance and the unison of the pair’s movements echoes the cranes’ growing devotion to each other as they raise their heads simultaneously and let out a fluting call as a testimony to their shared devotion. The call is so moving and the dance so inviting, that on some occasions, the dance will inspire other crane couples to begin their own duet. The dance is awe-inspiring, and their movements will create gallery worthy photos for you when you join the Hokkaido Winter Photography Workshop.