Jun 4, 2025 | By: Japan Dreamscapes Photography Tours
Joining a Hokkaido photo workshop or Hokkaido photography tour means stepping into the realm of one of nature’s most powerful raptors: the White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). With wingspans reaching nearly 2.5 meters (over 8 feet), this magnificent bird is just one of many awe-inspiring species our groups encounter on the pack ice of eastern Hokkaido during my annual winter birding photo tours.
Capturing the perfect shot of a White-tailed eagle in action—especially when it is dive bombing and coming straight toward the lens—is one of the biggest challenges of raptor photography. Even with years of experience and top notch gear such as the Nikon Z9 coupled with Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 TCZS even with bird and wildlife eye detection, many attempts still fall short. During the annual JDS photography tours in Hokkaido, our workshop leader explains and demonstrates to our participants how to properly pan on boats and land on how to achieve the perfect shot. Still, he reminds them to expect a high miss rate ratio with birds coming straight at them at high speeds.
On JDS Hokkaido birding photo tours, our team and participants always spend a couple of days on chartered boats photographing both White-tailed eagles and Steller’s sea eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus) as they feed side by side—sometimes sharing floes side by side for warmth before turning into fierce rivals when prey appears. These dramatic moments create unforgettable opportunities to capture nature at its rawest. The image featured here shows a White-tailed eagle diving with deadly precision—something our workshop leader estimated at close to 100 kph (60 mph). He used the Nikon Z9 paired with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S.
Whether you're just starting or have years behind the lens, our workshop leader gives participants hands-on instruction—from shooting in Zodiacs to setting up for fast-action bird photography—so everyone is prepared when a White-tailed eagle comes screaming out of the sky.
These moments don’t just test your gear—they test your preparation, your instincts, and your patience. But when everything aligns, the results are unforgettable. Join JDS in Hokkaido this winter and discover the thrill of capturing these majestic birds up close on a true wildlife photography adventure.
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