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