Northern Exposure Magnets

Standing just above Ravadas Falls in Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest national park in Finland. This waterfall was stunning from all angles, and in the hour I had before the boat came back for the return trip down the Lemmenjoki River, I had to rush around like mad to get as many different compositions as I could! I also used my new Lee Filters Big Stopper for this shot, and I'm pretty happy with the results.

I was lucky enough to see auroral coronas on two different occasions -- first during the St. Patrick's Day geomagnetic storm, and then again during another storm on March 29. Unfortunately I had a very wobbly tripod -- a replacement that couldn't handle the weight of my D700 and 24-70 f/2.8 lens, but it could lock in place which was more than my original (and stuck) tripod head could do -- so this was one of the few shots I was able to aim at the sky with any result at all.

This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! Read more about what my trip was like at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/

The aurora seems to fall towards the earth in the western sky over Galdotieva in far northwest Finnish Lapland. Taken at the end of March 2013 near full moon.

You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

The rocky stream leading out of Ravadas Falls, one of the most popular attractions in Lemmenjoki National Park, Finland's largest national park.

A tantalising hint of the aurora behind the clouds on Flakstadøya in the Lofoten Islands. Unfortunately these clouds were an ever-present part of our trip there so this was just about the closest we got to seeing the aurora. That said, there's no way we could complain, because Lofoten in January is one of the most stunning places in the world.

The cliffs of Darwin's East Point reserve light up in pink just after sunset on a gorgeous evening in the dry season.

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Ravadas Falls crashes downhill in its rush to get to the Lemmenjoki River beyond. This is an easy day trip, despite the fact that it's located 19km into Lemmenjoki National Park; boats run twice daily so you can either go and walk around the falls for an hour or have a full day to hike 15-20km through some of the best scenery the park has to offer.

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

Adopt, Don't Shop >.< ♡

The aurora dancing across the sky above the famous Godafoss in northern Iceland. I loved how it managed to defy the clouds trying to move in and hide it, since it meant hours more aurora watching for me!

"Northern Exposure: Cicely, Alaska" conjures the quaint and quirky charm of the fictional town at the heart of the beloved series. Set against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, Cicely serves as more than just a setting—it's a character in its own right, with its eclectic inhabitants and stunning landscapes shaping the show's unique atmosphere. This phrase evokes nostalgia for the small-town charm, eccentric characters, and enchanting beauty that define the world of "Northern Exposure."

Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach ♡

Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach Shady Beach ♡

The midnight sun shines over the Kemijoki River during midsummer celebrations in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.

Waves crashing onto the rocks and creating awesome patterns in the rock pool below.

A long exposure shot of surf at The Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland. Canon 5D Mk3, EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM, 24mm, f9 @ 20 secs, 100 ISO

Wow, how different the Blue Lagoon looks under the night sky! Even though the aurora was not incredibly bright on this evening, I still love the combination of colours created by it and the light pollution from Keflavík nearby.

Cool and beautiful design

The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing...and a slightly better view than the naked Finnish men in front of the sauna nearby! Read more on my blog (and see more photos of the aurora) at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/riverfront-saunas-and-northern-lights-at-hotel-kultahovi/ Taken: Over the River Juutua in Inari, Finland. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track!

Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/