During the early morning of June 17, 2012, by pure coincidence, I had an amazing opportunity to witness and photograph the Aurora Borealis over Crater Lake. Capturing this famous light show has been a dream of mine for several years, but I could not have imagined the lights showing up in my own backyard! Soon after shooting the rising Milky Way towards the southeast, I climbed in my car and drove through the mosquito infested darkness, towards the other side of Crater Lake. I was making an attempt to capture Polaris above Wizard Island jetting up from the crater. After setting up near the Rim Village Visitor Center lookout area, I began to notice a faint band of moving light slowly making its way from behind the Watchman Tower, around 1:30am. My camera began picking up bright pink bursts of light towards the north, with what also looked like unfamiliar vertical bands of light stretching upwards from the horizon. I quickly changed my camera’s white balance to confirm I was not picking up some random light pollution, or hallucinating in my drowsy state. Following additional exposures, I came up with the same amazing results. Fortunately, my phone had just enough cell service, enabling me to quickly check Twitter for real time information from @Aurora_Alerts . The alert stated, “In 47 minutes the Aurora Borealis should be at ‘STORM’ LEVEL! It’s On!! 6.33 Kp.” I couldn’t believe it. I had confirmation the Aurora Borealis was making her grand appearance on my side of the globe! The magical shifting scene continued until sunrise, and like most days in the wilderness, I was awed and humbled by true nature personified.
From my latest time-lapse video, “Within Two Worlds”. Click HERE to see it.
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I love it!
Brad…these photos are phenomenal! I love your work!! I have seen the auroras and it always leaves me wanting more! Now that I finally have a great camera, I am waiting for a chance to photograph them myself…Have been getting into night photography more and more…it’s very calming to be engulfed in darkness with just the night lights above…if only the mosquitoes would get eaten by the bats sooner
) Thank you for your beautiful shots! Deb
I rember seeing the Northern Lights in mid Wisconin 50 years ago. My younger brother also saw them when he was 16-18. He is now 58. They are spectacular.
I visited Oregon in March, but it looked nothing like this. Really amazing stuff! Is that Broken Top on the right and South Sister on the left?
I knew we had a chance at seeing the Northern Lights last night (I’m from Bend) but fell asleep pessimistically when the short-term forecast was only a 5. Had I only stayed up a little longer…
Do you have any tips for photographing them? I’m an amateur at best, but I’ve always dreamed of seeing and capturing this incredible phenomenon and want to be prepared the next time we might get a shot. All I have is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 and tripod. I’m in awe of your photos and your fortunate luck. Incredible!!!
Can’t believe you saw the Aurora Borealis…I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights in person.
Awesome photos my man!
Brad, great shot! Some times it’s just about timing, being at the right place at the right time. How long was your shutter speed? Beautiful site and thanks for sharing!
Greg
If a word could describe this photo it might be “otherworldly”. While being incredibly stunning and beautiful looking, the mix of colors makes the whole scene look very alien.
Very impressive photograph in every way.
I’ve only ever witnessed the green kind myself, many years ago. Sadly I didn’t have the means to snap a photo of the light-show, being 12 years old definitely has some disadvantages at times.
Thanks so much, Mathias! I can’t wait to get to Alaska/Iceland/Norway to see those beautiful green bands of light. Either place would do.
My encounter with green aurora actually happened in northern Denmark strangely enough.
I’ll actually be visiting Iceland later this year, who knows, lady luck may smile on me and let me take a great photo of this amazing phenomenon.
Beautiful shots, what an amazing scene! Great portfolio too.
Thank you, Chris!
Oh my Brad ….. i have no idea how you got this shot I would be so overwhelmed with
emotion I would not be to take the shot ….. just simply beautiful !!!!
What Marie said! Wow.
Thanks Martrese!
Thank you, Marie! It was incredible to say the least.
Such an amazing shot at an amazing locale. How do I go about getting a hard copy? 5×7 or 8 x 10 to frame. Thanks. Truly a beautiful picture!
Thank you for your compliments, Jenifer. If you are interested in purchasing fine-art, limited edition prints, please visit http://www.goldpaintphotography.com/purchase/ for more info.
Awesome photo! I have been hoping for an auroral display in my area, 44/45 degrees latitude. But every time there’s a solar storm this year, we have rain here. Should be some more opportunities in this active sunspot year, though. I have seen 2 spectacular displays in my life, covering half the sky, with multiple colors (pink, green, blue, even a little purple). The first was an hour and a half south of where I live now.
Thank you, Marsha! Hopefully the auroras will make another appearance in Oregon later this year. Fingers crossed!
That is so amazing, Brad! Great images and I’m sure some career shots are right up there. I saw some images the other day of the aurora display over the Tetons, well, actually just some sky exposures and thought, man, I hope somebody got something with a great foreground. It’s now confirmed. You did. My hat’s off, Sir. Fabulous shots!
Thank you, David! I’m still in a state of shock at the moment and can’t believe the aurora reached this far south, not to mention being in such an iconic location to capture it.