Flora and Fauna of Hokkaido

Back from my fantastic trip around northern Japan. My fingers are pretty numb from biking 1,000 km in just under 2 weeks, but I have so many wonderful photos (the best I’ve ever taken) so I have to start sharing at least a few. For starters, enjoy these pictures of the wildlife of Japan’s northernmost island.

The reaction of the natives to the Viceroy in their midsts was generally positive, if somewhat bewildered.

A highlight of the trip: a wild grizzly bear in Shiretoko National Park.

The Hokkaido Prefectural flower, the “Hamanasu” (rugosa rose).

Don’t slip! Deer grazing on a 40 degree slope, ending with a 150 meter sheer drop into the Okhotsk Sea.

Drying off in the brisk sea breeze of the Okhotsk Sea.

A jellyfish in the port of Monbetsu.

Wild lilies in the setting sun in northern Hokkaido.