Aurora Reflections

Watching the northern lights by the sea is amazing. Nothing blocks your view and you get to see it reflecting in the water. This location is one of my favourites with flat rocks stretching out on the water.

My first shot at 10:01 PM.

I arrived at 10 PM and the aurora was already present, although only a faint line over the northern horizon. The first thing I do when I arrive is planning what to have in my shots. I wanted to capture this rather big water pool surrounded by rocks. The water in it is often calm because it's so well protected from the waves.

After 15 minutes the aurora shifted to gear 2 and the reflections in the pool became just as I wanted them.

I rarely arrive right when the northern lights appear but this time I did. I put my lamp on the other side of the pool and did not have to wait long before the aurora grew brighter.

If you ever have to wait for something, this is no bad place to do it. Still very beautiful with the rather faint aurora in the background and the water reflecting the light of my storm lamp.

The activity went up and down a little in the beginning. There was not much to do but wait and take selfies. It was +5 degrees Celsius (39°F) and although there was not much wind it was still enough to make me want to have my jacket on. I only took a few pictures without wearing it. Same with my hat.

Time for a snack and hot drink while waiting for more auroral activity. Note that I had a foam seat pad. Sitting directly on the rocks is quite cold unless it has been a warm summer day.

While waiting for more activity, drinking something hot is a good idea. I often bring hot chocolate and a sandwich.

When auroral activity is on the rise the aurora arch often splits into two or three lines and starts bending.

Then the northern lights hit 3rd gear and leveled up big time. The arch became double and triple and spread across the sky. The moment I had been waiting for had finally come.

It grew and grew...

and GREW!

These three photos above are taken within two minutes. The northern lights started taking up a lot of the sky and became so bright that I didn't have to use my lamp when walking around on the rocks. They were all green coloured.

A magical moment watching the enormous band of aurora creating art in the sky.

Amazing moments.

Suddenly I had auroras almost in every direction and had a hard time deciding in which direction to point my camera. The aurora was also flickering and pulsating which is an awesome thing to see.

Auroral corona straight above my head.

Above me the aurora spread out in every direction and, at the same time, pulsating like a broken fluorecent tube.

This is something I wish people all over the world could experience. At the same time I'm not sure I would want a first time aurora watcher to see it like this. Unless, of course, you only plan to see it once in your entire life. Then this is definitely it!

Now comes a confession: I had forgot my head lamp. The thing I tell every beginner aurora watcher never to forget. But I did it. Luckily I had two storm lamps and my phone, but it isn't nearly as practical as a head light. Note to self: DON'T. FORGET. IT. AGAIN.

Loving it!

One of my best photos ever, someone said. Is it? I might actually be. Like a jewel in the sky.

I started packing my bag, getting ready to leave when the sky to the west suddenly became red, with green lines in front of it. The colours reflected in the sea surface. I could obviously not stop shooting.

This was one of the last photos I took. It was now 11.20 PM and clouds started rolling in, covering the green. I was super satisfied with the pictures I had managed to take.

By the way, ”take” is such a brutal word. I did not take the photos. They were given to me.

And what a gift!

This photo is found in my webshop. Please check it out. Different sizes available.

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Jewelry - Northern Lights Reflecting in Water

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