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 travelers crave: open water, steady food, and a safe place to rest. One of their favorite destinations is Kotoku Pond in the Kantō region on Japan"s largest island.

© Martin Bailey/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Dec 30, 2018Adorably evolutionary sea sheep
Dec 30, 2019Sky island views
Dec 30, 2020Winter in the Wild West
Dec 30, 2021Westerheversand Lighthouse
Dec 30, 2022White Desert National Park, Egypt
Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 1, 2025National Frog Month
Nov 25, 2020A dying breed of tree thrives in an American park
May 10, 2021An ancient sailing tradition takes to the water
Sep 26, 2020Wandering Watkins Glen
May 31, 2024Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
Jul 19, 2019A place fit for the gods
Jul 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day
Jul 1, 2019It’s Canada’s national day
Aug 15, 2018Best. Holiday. Ever.
Feb 22, 2019A rest stop for the birds
Sep 24, 2021The crossroads of empires
Oct 21, 2021Here s looking Atchafalaya
May 23, 2019Come out of your shell for World Turtle Day
Jan 4, 2025Bản Giốc–Detian Falls, Vietnam
Sep 4, 2023Labor Day
Sep 5, 2019A lush, green escape
Jan 1, 2025Happy New Year!
Aug 1, 2023National Mountain Climbing Day
May 23, 2022World Turtle Day
Apr 5, 2021Once upon a time there was a bridge…
Nov 12, 2018Honoring those who served
Apr 2, 2022Whangārei Falls in New Zealand
May 21, 2021Whoopin it up!
Nov 2, 202275th anniversary of the Spruce Goose
Oct 17, 2021A walk among the giants
Nov 30, 2021Giving Tuesday
Apr 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
Jun 27, 2022Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
Feb 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!
Oct 18, 2023Alaska Day