Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan Dec 30, 2025

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:

An island crossroad of culture
Aug 2, 2025Petroglyphs near Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Preserving Alaskas natural beauty
Jun 9, 2025Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
Nov 16, 2025A traboule in Lyon, France
Jan 28, 2026Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
Aug 26, 2025Sørvágsvatn lake, island of Vágar, Faroe Islands
What’s your favorite colour?
Oct 16, 2025Eurasian lynx
Mar 6, 2024Wahclella Falls, Oregon, USA
Protecting earths biodiversity for everyone
A church atop a hill
Dec 10, 2025Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain
Can you name these pretty flowers?
Aug 19, 2025Spotted eagle rays
Jun 5, 2025World Environment Day
Feb 17, 2026Chinese New Year
Jul 18, 2025Turquoise waters of the Bahamas
Oct 20, 2024International Sloth Day
Perfect, pastoral Palouse
Reflecting its stylish past today
Jul 21, 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Natures boost fruit
Feb 26, 2025Maha Shivaratri
Apr 13, 2026International Dark Sky Week
Oct 31, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
A labyrinth of luxury
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Feb 2, 2024Alpine Marmot
Oct 6, 2023Taughannock Falls State Park, New York