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Chasing Light: Travelling Nature Photography From Winter to Spring

  • Writer: Alyce Bender
    Alyce Bender
  • May 15, 2025
  • 3 min read


A flock of five whooper swans fly over snowy mountain peaks against an orange sunset. A. Bender Photography LLC
Whooper Swans | Hokkaido, Japan | February 2025

There’s no better way to experience the changing of seasons than through the lens of nature photography. This year, I let winter’s chill and spring’s awakening guide my travels, camera in hand. From the snowy stillness of Hokkaido to the surreal beauty of the Azores, and finally the vibrant life of Florida’s wetlands and beaches, each destination offered a new perspective and fresh challenges. Here’s a look at three unforgettable stops in my nature photography journey so far this year.


February – Hokkaido, Japan: Winter Wildlife and Minimalist Landscapes


Hokkaido in February is a nature photographer’s dream—silent, stark, and brimming with life if you know where to look. Snow transforms the landscape into a minimalist masterpiece: bare trees silhouetted against white fields, soft shadows cast by distant hills, and a monochrome palette that soothes the eye.


  • Minimalist treeline in the falling snow in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Black and white image of rolled pieces of drift ice on black sand beach in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A red torii gate sits in shallow water against a blazing orange sunset in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist images of five leafless trees standing along a snowy ridge against a pale grey sky in Hokkaido, Japan. | A.
  • A leafless stand of trees forms an island at the top of a snow covered ridge against cloudy skies in Hokkaido Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A single conifer tree stands alone on a snow covered hill in Hokkaido, Japan, known as the Christmas Tree. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A line of hoarfrosted trees are dazzling in backlit early morning golden light in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Black and white of trees on a snowy lake edge with a gradient of light and shadow on them in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist image of a close-up of a tree against snowy field with snow on its branches in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Black and white of pancake drift ice forming off the coast in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist black and white rendition of a mountain ridge scattered with trees covered in snow in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist black and white image of leafless twigs sticking out from deep snow in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist high key image of Japanese red and white road edge markers lining a snow covered road and field in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A stark leafless line of trees on a snowy ridgeline against grey skies in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Minimalist images of a mostly buried fence line in deep snow covered fields in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A pink house buried deep in winters snow with three trees standing in front and a snowy ridgeline behind it with blue sky above in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A snow covered field divided by a mostly buried fenceline with leafless trees standing tall along the ridgeline in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Partially frozen waterfalls flow down into a brilliantly blue green river with steam rising from it as the surrounding rocks are covered in snow in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A minimalist black and white image of the forest edge without leaves and a snow covered field ridgeline in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Four leafless trees stand with branches stretched wide to a dark sky in this minimalist black and white taken in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Grasses push through a snow covered ground and there are animal tacks imprinted from left to right through the scene in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • White birch stand leafless with soft light and against snow covered background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A minimalist image of a snowy ridgeline under blue grey cloudy skies and a small line of grasses punching through the snow below in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A snow covered field divided by a mostly buried fenceline with leafless trees standing tall along the ridgeline in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A black and white of a snow covered mountain range in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC

This year, I revisited places I had previously briefly driven through and did some more extensive scouting of locations in preparation for my private tour next winter. The images and experience was more than I had hoped for in several locations, especially as record snowfall hit the island this season.


But the real stars of the season are Hokkaido’s iconic winter wildlife. As usual, all the key stars were around with the red-crowned cranes performing their elegant courtship dances, Steller’s sea eagles over the Sea of Okhotsk, whooper swans loudly proclaiming their arrival on Lake Kussharo, and we even had several sessions with the beautiful Ezo red fox . These moments—frozen in both time and temperature—continuously reminded me that the cold often reveals the most powerful beauty. It’s tough shooting in subzero conditions, but for anyone serious about wildlife and winter landscapes, Hokkaido is a must.



  • A red-crowned crane calls in morning like in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A Steller's sea eagle silhouetted against an orange sunrise and the ocean off the coast in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • An ezo red fox lays in wait in a snow bank with ears up and eyes alert in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Three whooper swans reflected as they swim slowly along the lake shore with mountains in the background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A black kite sits in snow covered branches against a blue clear sky in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Red-crowned cranes in flight captured using intentional camera movement so they look like brush strokes against the winter brown and snowy blurred background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A yezo sika deer buck crosses a snowy road on a sunny afternoon in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A black and white high key image of a black kite being harried by a raven in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A white-tailed sea eagle eating its catch midflight in early morning golden light in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Two red-crown cranes against a minimalist snowy background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Whooper swan portrait with the bird looking directly at the camera and many other swans' heads in background blurred in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A red-crowned crane looks to the right while foraging in a snowy wetland environment in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Two yezo sika deer run though snow in a snow covered woodland scene in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A Steller's sea eagle with full wing stretch flies against a snowy cliff background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A black kite scans a snowy covered beach area with the ocean in the background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Two red-crowned cranes pair vocalize on a cold morning showing puffs of breath in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A black and white intentional camera motion image of a white tailed sea eagle diving down to catch a fish in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A young sika deer buck stands in a deeply snow covered forest in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A ezo red fox sits on a snow bank in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A whooper swan captured during take off with intention camera movment making the bird look like a series of brush strokes in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A close up portrait of a red-crowned crane while it is mid courtship dance in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A white-tailed sea eagle in flight in early morning pink orange light vertical wing spread to the viewer in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A raven sits in a pile of washed up seagrass in falling snow with a small fish tail still hanging out the side of its beak in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A Steller's sea eagle sits on a piece of ice against a snowy cliffside background in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A red-crowned crane kicks out while in mid-air above its partner during their courtship dance on a snowy field in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A red-crowned crane with one foot up and both wings up and above its head as it performs part of its courtship ritual in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Five whooper swans fly in over a snow capped mountain peaks with an orange and yellow sunset in Hokkaido, Japan. | A. Bender Photography LLC

March – The Azores, Portugal: Dreamlike Landscapes in Infrared


By March, I traded snow for subtropical volcanic beauty in the Azores. When not working on our new property that we secured late last year in the islands, I slipped away to explore what is now fast becoming "my rock" here in the North Atlantic. It is a treasure trove for nature photography, and, much like the house, is a new personal project, I have also taken on a bit of a new photographic project as well - infrared photography.


Last spring I purchased a Sony A7RIV and had it converted by Kolari to IR. While it didn't get much use for many months, that started to change when I first played a bit with it at Caddo Lake (TX) in November last year. From there I started bringing with me to other places with my favorite being the Azores as the islands’ already lush vegetation turns white, creating glowing forests, minimalistic farmland scenes, and otherworldly compositions along the coastline.


  • Black and white patchwork fields captured in infrared on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A European robin standing on a stone wall captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Close up of a delicate frilly moss cluster growing on the side of a tree captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Long exposure seascape with rocky foreground land an island that looks to have been split in two on the horizon under cloud studded sky captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A small fern grows from a bed of moss at the base of tall trees captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Tiny moss spore hairs stand tall captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • The patchwork of farmland stretches as seen from Serra do Cume captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Light filters through the thick forest canopy to light a mossy embankment at the foot of large Japanese cedars captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Wild grasses and vegetation surround a pond with a volcanic crater in the background captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Detailed texture of Japanese cedar captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Pastureland divided by stone walls captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Mountain and forest reflected in a pond surface captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Forest layers of vegetation with large long limbs stretching from the tree on the right and a boulder in the lower left captured in infrared and converted to black and white on Terceira Island, Azores. | A. Bender Photography LLC

The Azores are all about mood—mist clinging to mossy calderas, dramatic cliffs plunging into ocean, and light that changes by the minute. Photographing in infrared pushed me creatively. Nature photography here became more about interpretation than documentation. Taking away the surreal colors and focusing on textures and patterns continues to challenge me with this form of photography on the island.


April – Florida, USA: Birds, Blooms, and the Macro World


In April, I chased warmth and vibrancy to Florida—a nature photography haven, especially for birders and macro enthusiasts. I revisited my hometown and some of the swamps and beaches that influenced my very beginnings as a photographer and naturalist. The birds were bold, the light was golden, and I found myself shooting both sunrise and sunset when I could.


  • A limpkin walks in short grass with a background of tall green vegetation at Paynes Prairie State Park, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Two least terns stand next to each other in soft morning light on the sand near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Two least terns pass a small fish from the male tern to the female in their courting ritual while standing on a shell studded sandy beach near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A male least tern extends its wings while standing behind a female and holding a fish in his bill during courting rituals in golden light near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A male least tern in flight over a female just before copulation on a sandy beach in evening light near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A least tern with fish in its bill in flight against out of focus sand dunes and vegetation near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A Wilson's plover running along a sandy beach at dusk with bokeh highlight behind it near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • Half the visible sun ball sinking behind silhouetted sand dunes and sea oats with orange skies above near St. Augustine, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC

Equally captivating was the smaller world—frogs clinging to palm fronds, damselflies dusted in morning dew, and beetles iridescent under the Florida sun. Macro nature photography here felt like discovering hidden ecosystems on every petal and leaf. It forced me to slow down, crouch low, and notice the tiny dramas unfolding everywhere.


  • A red ladybug on a green fern leaf against green bokeh background in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A damselfly eating prey while on a conifer leaf in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • The macro image of a caterpillar's hairs and partially eaten leaf in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • An ant running down a flowering stem against a green bokeh background in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A tree frog sleeping vertically on a shaded palm front leaf with highlighted bokeh background in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A nymph on the tip of a leaf with golden light bokeh in the background in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC
  • A dragonfly face to the viewer on the end of a dried stick with green background in Gainesville, Florida. | A. Bender Photography LLC

Final Thoughts of Nature Photography From Winter to Spring


From the frozen silence of Hokkaido to the volcanic vistas of the Azores and the teeming wetlands of Florida, this journey reinforced everything I love about travelling for nature photography. Each environment brought its own rhythm, challenges, and rewards—and reminded me how much there still is to explore and create every time I step outside with my camera.


Nature is vast, unpredictable, and endlessly inspiring. Whether you're photographing grand landscapes or tiny details, there's always a new way to see the world through your lens.


If you're just starting out in nature photography, planning your own seasonal trip, or looking to try something new—I'd love to hear from you. Have questions about gear, destinations, photography techniques in the field, or editing? Send me an email, and I’ll be happy to answer them in a future post or directly.


Let’s keep the conversation going—and keep chasing the light.


View from a plane window showing a wing against a clear sky with pink and blue hues, framed by a dark blue interior. Calm and serene.

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