Wild red-crowned cranes live in the bitter cold of Hokkaido's winter. A photo capturing this moment is currently garnering a lot of attention on social media.

The crane's breath was burning

Quoted from @nagi0467's post

What is captured there are two beautiful red-crowned cranes. And the breath they exhale is almost as if it is "burning," creating a truly fantastical scene. Their beautiful appearance is a fleeting moment, yet it strongly captivates the viewer. When this photo was posted on social media, it was reposted over 2,000 times. Many comments were received, such as "It looks like a Japanese painting," "They are in perfect sync," and "Both the photo and the words are beautiful."

The photographer, Kohei Yagira, was nominated for an international photography award.

The beautiful image of a red-crowned crane captured by Yagira

This photo was taken by photographer Kohei Yagira, who works as a high school teacher in Hokkaido while also continuing to photograph wild animals. He carefully follows the animals that live in nature, and has photographed many of Hokkaido's wild animals, including Ezo deer and red-crowned cranes.

Yagira has now been selected as a finalist for the world's most prestigious wildlife photography contest, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year - People's Choice Award. This award, considered the world's highest in the field of wildlife photography, is a special category in which the winning work is decided by public vote, with public voting beginning on February 4, 2026.

Yanagira's work was nominated as a finalist

If he wins, he will be the first Japanese to win the contest. Yagira is increasingly gaining international recognition. His photographs, which capture the atmosphere and temperature of the place, beautifully and profoundly convey the charm of Hokkaido's nature and wildlife.