Spring is a time for new life and new opportunities. Wild boar, Japanese pheasants, humpback whales, giant spider crabs and even Amami Ishikawa frogs start procreating. As the heat of mating season cools down, witness the majestic beauty of Japan's fireflies, while brave young flying squirrels prepare for their first-ever flight.

August is a time for preparation in Japan. While brown bears hunt for fish, foxes and raccoon dogs scrabble for scraps. How will fierce Ezo sables, itinerant deer, majestic Japanese cranes and the world's largest species of owl manage to stockpile resources in Japan's brutal winter, as food grows scarce and temperatures plunge below zero?