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#150624 Northern Lights

What an amazing night, last night was. I had scouted this hidden pond close to home, knowing it had an opening that faced North, in anticipation of shooting the Northern Lights. I heard the Kp level was quite high, so ventured to this spot, and set up my tripod, making sure to focus before it became to dark to do so.

I sat there listening to the peepers, watching a group of Canadian geese drift across the pond. It was dusk, but you could almost see a bit of light already beginning to the North. A beaver came out from behind some tall grass, and gracefully glided across the water in my direction. I sat perfectly still, as he came closer, streaming along mere feet away, never noticing I was there, eventually crossing the pond to let the geese know the water was his.

The darkness crept in, and the fireflies showed up, performing their own little light show, competing with the gaining colors in the sky. Then the aurora began, first with a light green glow, and then more reds and purples (less visible to the naked eye, but quite obvious). The lovely waves of light, rolling across the night sky, pulsing so strongly, you thought you could feel them.

Unfortunately, the location I had chosen in Bartlett, was beginning to cloud in just as the stronger colors were forming. The only part of the sky the clouds were covering was due North, as It finally overtook the main show, leaving just a faint green glow. I sat there, walked around, and waited for some clearing.

For hours I sat, waiting watching, listening to the night sounds of frogs, peepers, and a night owl hooting in the distance. The other part of the visible night sky was very active, with numerous shooting stars, as I counted almost a dozen through the night. Sometime around midnight, as I was drifting, standing still, looking through my lens, I was abruptly awakened from my night trance! A very loud water ‘POP!’ just a few feet away, made me jump up straight in the air!…..it was Mr. Beaver showing up again, sneaking through the dark waters, likely not even seeing me until he was so close, and then slapping his tail loudly on the water to show his disapproval and mutual surprise.

With my newfound adrenaline rush from the Keeper of the Pond, I was now wide awake and continued my vigilant watch, hoping, waiting. But alas, the moving clouds never cleared again, and finally took over the sky from the west, around 3:00am. I packed up my gear, and drove the late night ride back home. I went to bed, and drifted off to sleep, reveling in all the wonderful sights and sounds of the evening. A truly magical night:)!