Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
"Mystical Fire Breathing Dragon" Sunrise at Mount Cook National Park New Zealand

The photo is showing the culmination of a series of shots I took at first light of the sunrise over the mountains at the Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. As the cloud moved and changed shape I was able to capture this extraordinary cloud formation, which to me, looked like a mystical fire breathing dragon rising up into the heavens. It lasted mere seconds and then faded away. I consider myself incredibly blessed and fortunate to have witnessed one of nature's true wonders.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Mt Cook NP village, New Zealand
Camera: COOLPIX B700
Copyright: © Adrian Bryant