Steller’s sea eagles. Hokkaido, Japan / February 2024
Steller's sea eagles gather in flocks on the pack ice off the coast of Hokkaido to fish. This idyllic scene features villages and the hills of Hokkaido in the background. The star-like reflections on the ice, added in the studio, symbolize the hope that the pack ice will form again next February despite global warming. This allows the eagles to catch enough fish in a short time to strengthen themselves for their long journey north to their breeding grounds.