Some of my colleagues ask me if I ever get tired of visiting the same locations for my annual Hokkaido birding photo workshop tours.  I answer them before they even finish asking their question, “No, of course not.”  Anticipating the next question, “Why?”  I say, “The Beginner’s Mindset.” I then explain the Beginner’s mindset and Zen Buddhism; the beginner sees myriad possibilities.  Shortly, my annual Hokkaido Birding Photo Workshop season begins, and I sure am looking forward to photographing, White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Red-Crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis), Eizo Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) - the largest herd on the planet, Ezo Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes schrencki), the migratory Steller's Sea Eagle and several other species that inhabit Japan’s northernmost island in which I have been leading Hokkaido photo adventure workshop tours for more than 20 years.  Yet, I still relish the idea of visiting my third home in Japan every year for several months, and my enthusiasm for leading international photographers on a Hokkaido adventure Photo workshop tour seems to increase every year.  The Beginner’s mindset means I am always learning as part of my continued exploration of Japan’s north island.  Thinking of the Steller’s Sea Eagle and the White-tailed eagle, my mind wanders to the stories of the Ainu, the First Nations people of Japan and their tales of the kamuy, the spiritual and divine beings of their folklore, and the part that eagles play.  All eagle are seen as symbols of great power, and have been seen as so since ancient times.  Considering the Steller’s Sea Eagle wingspan is 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), it’s no wonder that these raptors and their cousins the White-tailed eagles occupy such a high station among the Ainu.  I look forward to seeing them soaring over the pack ice soon.