The Frozen Breath of Dawn
Award Winner
This image brought me awards in two different juried shows with national/international entries.
The Story Behind the Scene
When an opportunity strikes, take it! In December 2023, as I was preparing for my first knee replacement surgery, I learned that I had a broken tooth, which required postponing the procedure. On the same day, I received an invitation from a photography colleague to join his group on a trip to Hokkaido, Japan, in less than six weeks. Having long aspired to experience winter in Hokkaido, I started packing my bags.
During the trip, I found myself standing on a bridge at 5:30AM in -6°F temperatures, observing a river shrouded in steam and mist as red-crowned cranes began their morning routines. As dawn progressed, sunlight illuminated the mist-frosted trees and shrubs, producing a crystal-like effect.The landscape gradually shifted from blues to pinks and yellows, creating a striking, mystical visual display. The red-crowned cranes, some reaching nearly five feet in height, moved about, occasionally pausing for photographs. The remarkable scenery and wildlife were mesmerizing and, while being engrossed in my photography for several hours, I hardly thought about how cold I was. That’s called passion!
The Setting for the Photography Shoot
An IPhone shot at 6:15 AM (my camera is to the left) as we awaited the rise of the mist on the water. The cranes were all asleep way off in the distance but they started stirring as the sky became lighter.
Cranes beginning to stir way, way off in the distance. As the sun began to warm up the air, mist from the cold water rose enveloping the birds in a mystical scene. Add to that the curve of the river leading us to them, it was magic.
A group of us lined up waiting for the magic moment in below zero temps! Good clothing makes all the difference plus hand and toe warmers ;-).
Envisioning This on a Wall
Imagine how this piece would look on your wall! This would be a print 30" W x 20" H printed image surrounded with 3" matting in a narrow black frame.
More Images of Cranes and Swans in Hokkaido
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