Chasing Light: Travelling Nature Photography From Winter to Spring

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.