Zac Smith, Port Douglas Storm Sunrise (AERIAL 2026)

On the warm morning of February 8th, 2026, at 5:30 am, while feeding my 6-month-old baby a bottle, I noticed a stunning pink glow illuminating the eastern sky. Seizing the moment, I launched my drone from the back deck of my home in Port Douglas and captured this breathtaking aerial photograph looking south toward the Atherton Tablelands from an altitude of 400 feet. The image beautifully displays the subtle dawn light casting a serene, warm glow across the landscape, revealing the majestic contours of the mountains in vivid detail. This photo embraces the tranquil yet powerful essence of nature at daybreak, offering a unique perspective that blends intimate personal experience with the grandeur of the Australian wilderness.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.