In the harsh cold of a Hokkaido winter, a single photograph capturing a fleeting moment of wild red-crowned cranes is now drawing significant attention on social media.

The breath of the red-crowned cranes was burning.

Photo credit: @nagi0467

The photo shows two beautiful red-crowned cranes. The scene is almost magical, as their exhaled breath seems to be "on fire." While it was just a momentary event, its stunning beauty strongly captivates the hearts of viewers. When this photo was posted on social media, it was reposted over 2,000 times, drawing numerous comments such as, "It's like a Japanese painting," "Their breaths are perfectly in sync," and "Both the photo and the words are beautiful."

Photographer Kohei Nagira Nominated for an International Photography Award

A beautiful red-crowned crane captured by Mr. Nagira

This incredible shot was taken by Kohei Nagira, a photographer who works as a high school teacher in Hokkaido and continuously photographs wildlife. He carefully follows the lives of animals in their natural habitats, capturing many of Hokkaido's wild creatures, including Ezo sika deer and red-crowned cranes.

Mr. Nagira is currently a finalist for the world-renowned wildlife photography competition, the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year – People’s Choice Award." This award, considered the pinnacle in the field of wildlife photography, has a special category where the winning piece is decided by public vote. Voting will begin on February 4, 2026.

Mr. Nagira's work, which has been nominated as a finalist

If he wins, he will be the first Japanese person to receive this award in the competition's history. Mr. Nagira is gaining attention as an increasingly internationally acclaimed figure. His photographs, which make you feel the very air and temperature of the scene, convey the charm of Hokkaido's nature and wildlife to us beautifully and profoundly.