Limited Edition /400

This image of a Red-winged Blackbird titled Dragon Breath, was captured on a cold early morning in the wetlands near Victoria, BC Canada, as the first light of day cut through the mist and frost still clung to the cattails.

Perched upright on a frost-lined stem, the blackbird calls into the still air — its body silhouetted against a soft, glowing backdrop. From its open beak, a visible plume of breath rises and curls, catching the light like smoke, transforming a simple call into something mythic. The bird’s red and gold shoulder patch burns through the shadow, a striking contrast that anchors the moment.

This shot required precise timing and positioning. The backlighting was essential to reveal the breath, but it also meant working with deep shadows and bright highlights at once. The window for capturing the vapor was fleeting — just a few minutes as the temperature and light aligned — and each call from the bird came unpredictably. Balancing exposure while waiting for that exact instant of visible breath made this a rare and rewarding frame.

Add this limited edition image to your collection. It preserves a fleeting intersection of cold, light, and sound — a moment where nature feels almost elemental — bringing drama, atmosphere, and a sense of quiet power to any space.