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Japan

545 images Created 24 Nov 2014

Photographs of wildlife and landscapes from Japan. Kyoto, Kochi, Shizuoka, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido.

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  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) breathing at the surface of a river. Many toads had gathered in the river for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) breathing at the surface of a river. Many toads had gathered in the river for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) sitting in a stream flowing down from elevation. The toad was in the process of descending to a river below to congregate with others for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) looking back at the stream he traversed from high altitude to arrive at this spot near a river where others of his species were gathering for reproductive season. The effectiveness of the toad's camouflage is apparent. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) was crushed by a vehicle while attempting to cross a road while traveling to a river for reprodutive season. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • Japanese stream toads (Bufo torrenticola) often need to cross roads in order to reach their home rivers for reproduction. We stopped for this toad, which crossed in front of our vehicle. We saw others that had been crushed by passing vehicles. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) walking beside a mountain stream. Although they can hop, toads often use their sturdy legs to walk. This male was making its way down to a river where others of its kind gather for a few days each year to spawn. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) making its way down a mountain stream in order to reach a river where others of its kind congregate for a few days each year to spawn. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) contemplating the steep dropoff in front of him. This toad and others need to tumble down many precipes like this in order to reach the river far below for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) resting in a mountain stream while making its way to a river where others of its kind congregate for a few days each year to spawn. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a male Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) demonstrating his ability to blend in with this surroundings. This male was traveling down a mountain stream to reach a river for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a Japanese stream toad (Bufo torrenticola) sitting on the bank of a stream flowing down from elevation. The toad was in the process of descending to a river below to congregate with others for spawning. Photographed in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
    bufo-torrenticola-japanese-stream-to...tif
  • This is a Blakiston's fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) sitting on a branch during heavy rainfall. The branch was above a small river. These birds are not often seen in daylight. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    bubo-blakistoni-fish-owl-202409-DSC1...tif
  • This is a Blakiston's fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) sitting on a branch overlooking a small river. It was an overcast day. Rain fell soon after I took this photograph. These birds are not often seen in daylight. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    bubo-blakistoni-fish-owl-202409-DSC1..tifi
  • My pet Mauremys reevesii pond turtle looking out from her carry case during a walk to the park.
    mauremys-reevesii-pond-turtle-202310...tif
  • My pet Mauremys reevesii pond turtle climbing out of a sand box at the local park
    mauremys-reevesii-pond-turtle-202310...tif
  • My pet Mauremys reevesii pond turtle's claws in the early morning light
    mauremys-reevesii-claw-early-morning...tif
  • My pet Mauremys reevesii pond turtle in the early morning light
    mauremys-reevesii-turtle-early-morni...tif
  • Depicted here is the split-second just before a forest green tree frog tadpole (Zhangixalus arboreus) drops from a sponge-like egg mass suspended in forest canopy. Seasonal rains provide the water and signal to the developing tadpoles. They drop from the egg masses into bodies of water such as lakes and ponds, but also swimming pools, wells and other manmade structures. This unusual reproductive behavior is characteristic of this species, which is endemic to Japan. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • Depicted here a forest green tree frog tadpole (Zhangixalus arboreus) dropping from a sponge-like egg mass suspended in forest canopy. Seasonal rains saturate the egg mass, eventually rupturing its membrane. Developing tadpoles wriggle to the bottom and drop into bodies of water such as lakes and ponds, but also swimming pools, wells and other manmade structures. This unusual reproductive behavior is characteristic of this species, which is endemic to Japan. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • Depicted here a forest green tree frog tadpole (Zhangixalus arboreus) just about to drop from a sponge-like egg mass suspended in forest canopy. Seasonal rains saturate the egg mass, eventually rupturing its membrane. Developing tadpoles wriggle to the bottom and drop into bodies of water such as lakes and ponds, but also swimming pools, wells and other manmade structures. This unusual reproductive behavior is characteristic of this species, which is endemic to Japan. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • Depicted here a forest green tree frog tadpole (Zhangixalus arboreus) just about to drop from a sponge-like egg mass suspended in forest canopy. Seasonal rains saturate the egg mass, eventually rupturing its membrane. Developing tadpoles wriggle to the bottom and drop into bodies of water such as lakes and ponds, but also swimming pools, wells and other manmade structures. This unusual reproductive behavior is characteristic of this species, which is endemic to Japan. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a terrestrial door snail (Clausiliidae) moving across a tree. Gravity pulled the snail's shell into the position seen, thereby revealing the animal's body. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    clausiliidae-door-snail-japan-202306...tif
  • This is a pair of forest green tree frogs (Zhangixalus arboreus) spawning. Endemic to Japan, this species produces a sponge-like egg mass, normally suspended from tree branches above bodies of still water. Though not yet considered endangered, populations of this frog are in decline, in large part due to habitat destruction. As seen here, the frogs are doing the best they can, in this case using a manmade fence in lieu of a tree. Conservation efforts are perhaps the best hope of sustaining this species. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a pair of forest green tree frogs (Zhangixalus arboreus) spawning. Endemic to Japan, this species produces a sponge-like egg mass, normally suspended from tree branches above bodies of still water. Though not yet considered endangered, populations of this frog are in decline, in large part due to habitat destruction. As seen here, the frogs are doing the best they can, in this case using a manmade fence in lieu of a tree. Conservation efforts are perhaps the best hope of sustaining this species. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a pair of forest green tree frogs (Zhangixalus arboreus) preparing to spawn. The male has jumped onto the back of the female. From this point, she will carry him to her chosen location, then excrete a substance that the male churns into a bubbly sponge-like mass, into which the female deposits eggs as the male fertilizes. The female bears the weight of the male for the duration, hanging by her forelimbs from a branch or something similar. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a pair of forest green tree frogs (Zhangixalus arboreus) preparing to spawn. The male has jumped onto the back of the female. From this point, she will carry him to her chosen location, then excrete a substance that the male churns into a bubbly sponge-like mass, into which the female deposits eggs as the male fertilizes. The female bears the weight of the male for the duration, hanging by her forelimbs from a branch or something similar. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a male forest green tree frog (Zhangixalus arboreus) sitting on the crossbar of a fence. This male spawned four to five hours after this photograph was taken. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a pair of forest green tree frogs (Zhangixalus arboreus). The male is facing the camera, female in the rear. This species normally spawns on branches of trees, but sometimes also makes use of manmade structures. Habitat destruction is increasingly restricting their range, as well as limiting suitable spawning locations. This pair chose to spawn on a fence, four to five hours after this photograph was taken. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a male forest green tree frog (Zhangixalus arboreus) hanging from a thin branch during light rainfall. This frog jumped back into the canopy after approaching a female that was not yet ready to spawn. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    zhangixalus-arboreus-forest-green-tr...tif
  • This is a pair of Acanthosoma denticauda stink bugs copulating. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    acanthosoma-denticauda-stink-bugs-co...tif
  • This is a Ramulus mikado stick insect balanced on a blade of grass. Photographed in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
    ramulus-mikado-stick-insect-japan-20...tif
  • This is a Japanese tree frog (Dryophytes japonicus). It had adapted to urban life by taking up residence in a public toilet. The bright lights attracted insects at night, hence the frog's big belly.
    dryophytes-japonicus-japanese-tree-f...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel looking down from a tree at sunset.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • The Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male seen fleeing up the tree in this photograph had just been chased off by the male poking his head out of the nest. The reason for this conflict was a female inside the nest. She was approaching estrus.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel flying through trees.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from its nest in the middle of the day.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the canopy during a sunny day.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels that have emerged from the nest at dusk. The female seated above is entering estrus. The male is checking her readiness for mating.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from the tiny entrance to its nest. These squirrels often do this to check their surroundings prior to emerging.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel attempting to enter a nest with a female inside during reproductive season. This male made repeated attempts to enter, but was stopped mid-way each time as shown here, then rejected.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel perched on a small branch moments after it emerged from its nest after sunset to forage at night.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • During reproductive season, male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels vie for females. This male repeatedly entered a nest with a female inside, only to be kicked out each time, as shown here. In the process of being squeezed out of the nest, the male has dragged some of the soft nesting material along with him.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Frequent, repeated defecation by Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels in favored locations results in accumulated droppings. As winter snow melts, embedded droppings dissolve, dripping down to become fertilizer for the relevant tree.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from the entrance to its nest just before a major snowstorm hit. The northwest side of the tree was already coated with snow, and the winds had picked up considerably. The squirrel decided not to emerge at the time.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel resting in a secure spot in the late afternoon.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel looking into the entrance of a nest with a female inside. During reproductive season, males often do this in hopes of find receptive females. In many instances, females approaching estrus are already accompanied by males. Conflicts between males often ensue.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is the moment when a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel inside the nest has heat-butted a potential rival male that was looking into the nest with the objective of gaining access to the female inside, which was approaching estrus. Even after being chased off, rival males like this often return to try again. Females sometimes choose to mate with multiple partners.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels mating. Copulation occurs multiple times over an extended period of time. This can happen inside the nest or outside, as shown here. Mating can take place in the day time or at night.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) holding a branch in its mouth. In the final days of winter, this squirrel was building a nest to prepare for the reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) leaping among the branches of a fir tree while collecting material for the construction of a nest in the final days of winter. The squirrel was preparing for the upcoming reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) wrangling small branches it has gathered for the purpose of constructing a nest in preparation for reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) dealing with a long branch it has collected. The branch was too big to carry, so the squirrel had to break it into two pieces. The squirrel was building a nest in preparation for reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) losing its balance while wrangling a long branch it has collected for the purpose of constructing a nest.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) breaking off a branch for the purpose of constructing a nest to prepare for the upcoming reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) constructing a nest to prepare for the upcoming reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) carrying a branch it has collected for the purpose of constructing a nest.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from its nest, just before emerging for an evening of foraging in the treetops.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Pteromys volans flying squirrels often peek out from their nests prior to exiting. This behavior might serve to minimize risk of predation, as well as to allow the animal's eyes to acclimate to ambient light levels. Narrow apertures like this one provide protection from predators.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This composite image shows a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating for a duration of about 20 seconds after it had emerged from its nest to forage.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel carrying a small branch of Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) back to its nest. This individual had spent over an hour in the early morning at the top of 20m tall elm trees feasting on fresh buds. This branch is a take-away meal for enjoyment back home.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Depicted here is the split-second prior to this Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel landing on a tree. The squirrel has adjusted its attitude in mid-flight toward a relatively vertical position to reduce speed. It has also folded its wings inward and stretched its limbs forward in preparation for grasping the tree ahead.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest early in the morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel perched at the top of a 20+m Japanese elm tree (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) early in the morning. Fresh buds of this elm species are one of the preferred foods of these squirrels.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel scratching his face on a branch while grooming himself early in the morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel enjoying an early morning scratch.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel enjoying a good scratch early one winter morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel making its final approach back to the nest after foraging. The animal blends in perfectly with its environment, a snow-covered forest. The entrance to the nest is a narrow crack in the Erman's birch (Betula ermanii) tree.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • These four Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels emerged from a single nest at the same time, just before foraging. Simultaneous appearances like this are relatively uncommon.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel on its final approach to the nest. The squirrel has dived down from high elevation and swooped upward in an arc, bringing it to this point, which is about 1.5m from the entrance to its nest. The animal's body is flared open in order to ascend and decelerate for the final approach. Its belly is full from foraging in the treetops.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest early in the morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a head-on view of a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest early one winter morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel flying directly overhead.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating while perched in a safe place on a cloudy, overcast day.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel cleaning its whiskers while grooming itself.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Just before a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel lands on a tree, the animals folds its wings inward and stretches its limbs toward the targeted tree. This serves to slow the animal's approach and also to prepare the animal to be able to move immediately upon landing.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest canopy during light snow in winter.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from its nest just after a major snowstorm. These animals prefer small and narrow entrances like this in order to prevent entry by potential predators.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Shown here is the split-second when a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel makes contact with a tree upon landing. The squirrel first uses its hind limbs to gain a foothold, then secures its front limbs. The squirrel had been foraging during light snowfall.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel en route back to its nest after foraging at the top of 20m+ tall Japanese elm trees (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) for an extended period of time during snowfall. The squirrel is carrying a branch with fresh elm buds back to its nest—a takeaway meal to relish at home.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel is eating fresh needles of a Sakhalin fir tree (Abies sachalinensis) during a light snowfall. One of the squirrel's teeth is visible from this angle.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel feasting on a branch that she cut from a nearby Sakhalin fir tree (Abies sachalinensis).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel pictured in the split-second before landing on a tree. The Sakhalin fir trees in the background are nearly completely covered in snow from a large winter storm.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel perched on a small branch, just after a major snowstorm. These animals often pause in this manner after emerging from their nests and prior to foraging.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest canopy during light snowfall.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
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