Every winter, the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido transform into a spectacular stage for one of the world’s most awe-inspiring raptors: the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). As part of my annual Hokkaido Wildlife landscapes and cultural Japan Hokkaido photography workshop tour. Participants and I spot and photograph hundreds of these ice age relic raptors while on chartered cruises into the pack ice. Hokkaido's pack ice, specifically the drift ice that arrives from the Sea of Okhotsk, travels up to 1,000 kilometers. This ice originates from the Amur River area and drifts south towards Hokkaido. The ice flows, driven by winds and ocean currents, can be up to 20 meters thick and several kilometers wide. The Steller’s sea eagles and White-tailed eagles perch on the pack ice for days or weeks at a time, which they use as their fishing platform. Seagulls and Jungle Crows also join the raptors on the ice when the fishing is good. What do all of these birds have in common? They have all survived Several Ice Ages. Once you observe the Steller’s sea eagle and white-tailed eagle's behavior firsthand, you will understand why they have survived the test of time. The Seagulls have survived as global navigators. The Jungle Crow is the most intellectual bird on the pack ice. I talked about them in my previous newsletter; here is an insert of that: “ Crows are often compared to primates in their cognitive abilities by Scientists/Ornithologists. They demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills, tool use, and social intelligence. Scientists have found that some crows are as intelligent as a seven-year-old child, with some even outperforming them in specific tasks. These birds have been documented sharpening sticks to retrieve food; they understand water tides, knowing when to feed on various types of seafood. Their intellectual ability is what we believe enabled them to survive several ice ages.