Photo details: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon 24mm f/1.4, 200 ASA.

Tonight, we went to the northern lights with a group of friends. The were surprised by the northern lights... and they had a lot of enthusiam.

Photo details: Canon EOS 30D, 10mm, f3,5, 1-15 sec., 1600 ISO

Static and weak horizon to horizon displays that began while the sunset was still visible and lasted until sunrise started. However, there was one burst of bright activity that lasted about 3 minutes.

Photo details: Nikon D3 14-24mm f2.8 16 mm 2.8 fisheye, ISO 1600 3-8 secs.

Photo details: Nikon D200, iso640, 10-18mm f3.5-4.2

Another nice outing even though a slight haze spoiled the viewing a bit. The aurora lacked the power of two days ago... worthy a couple of photos though.

Photo details: Nikon D80, Sigma 20mm lens, 15s exposure at f/2.2, iso 800.

A few more panoramas taken at Chena Lakes Recreation Area, just outside the city of North Pole, Alaska. Sky glow and light pillars from the nearby city, and the foreground is the frozen lake. Not a powerful display last night, but lovely patterns across the sky anyway. It was worth the trip out.

Photo details: Canon 5D, ISO 1000, 6 seconds, f2.8 .

Another good night of aurora chasing. It started early at twilight with a little hint of red and pillars w hints of blue. During the time I was out I heard Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, and Boreal Owls calling. During the most active aurora, Trumpeter Swans joined the chorus.

Photo details: Camera Nikon D200, Nikkor 17-55 lens @ f3.5, about 1 minute exposure, ISO 400.

Here in Shetland (UK) we've missed some of the stunning displays recently seen by observers in more northern latitudes, perhaps due to weather or just being too far south; in fact the last display I remember seeing was in December so it was with delight that forecasts for aurora coincided with a beautifully clear and still night. So I headed out of town to a place called Nesting, which is good and dark. There I quietly watched as a glowing arc rippled across the northern sky for over 2 hours. I took a few photos and had a bit of fun too, as you can see from this one. Eventually I had to go home as I had to go to work later that morning! But after such a wonderful session and after last weeks storms followed by heavy snow it feels like Winter is finished and I'm ready now for Spring!

A nice and active display of Northern Lights, while sailing on the M/S Trollfjord near Tromso, Norway.

Photo details: Canon EOS 350D, 4 seconds, 1600 ASA.