"Aurora - Goddess of the Dawn"

I've been chasing Auroras for a few years now. This image was captured on one of the most active mornings in August 2019 when my friend  and I drove 45 minutes north of Prince George to catch the show. We arrived after 10 PM because summer nights don't get dark as early here in the north. And dawn comes early around 4 AM, but we managed to get enough cards full of images to take home in 5 hours! 

Auroras happen when charged particles ejected from the sun are drawn to Earth's magenetic poles in the north and south. There they collide with neutral particles in the upper atmosphere and create splashes of colour and light in the sky. Like stars, they are there during the daytime too, we just can't see them.

The early morning was the best time. The aurora would ebb and flow about every twenty minutes. I'd be checking my apps to see when the next predicted flare would happen, and it was always pretty accurate.

"A Million Stars Up Above"

Next month I will be presenting "Dancing With Lady Aurora (How to Capture the Norther Lights)" to members of Professional Photographers of Canada. Having been a member since 2010 I have grown my business and love of photography. Now it's time, so I'm told, to pass on some knowledge. We'll see how it goes! I love to share photography!

Last year in April, two photographer friends joined me on an Aurora hunt. That's me on the right with the long coat, playing with my 360 camera to get this shot above while we waited for darkness to arrive. My friends were from the Lower Mainland, so as the night grew colder I wrapped them in fleece blankets so they could stay out longer! We had a fun time and it was their first time capturing aurora. 

If you would like to see some of my Aurora work, visit the website gallery here.

Until next time,

Terrill