A Kluane Lake aurora show
We got home last night from 9 days at Congdon Creek Campground on Kluane Lake. A few minutes before 02:00 on September 4th, an excellent display began. As is often the case, I woke up just before it began. When the show started, I quickly got my camera gear together, put a light jacket on over my pyjamas, and walked 200 feet to the beach. The temperature was about 5°C/41°F.
I shoot with a Canon EOS 7D, with a full-manual 10mm Rokinon 2.8 lens that I bought specifically for aurora and star shoots. Although I have 3 tripods, I almost always now use the Manfrotto Element that has 4-section legs so collapses to the smallest size to fit in my daypack.
I shot the first image at 01:56, at my usual starting point, 30 seconds at ISO 800. It was much too bright. I try to ensure my images show the reality of the scene, with no tricks, no post-processing. I think Lady Aurora puts on wonderful shows without me changing anything. Many photographers think otherwise.
Dropping back to a 10-second exposure, still at ISO 800, got the accurate look.
The two photos above were shot looking towards the head of Kluane Lake (pretty much due south from this point), the next one was shot looking down the lake, at 01:58.
A “selfie” and pretty much the same shot without me. These were shot with 13-second exposures.
Cathy said if the aurora show was really good I should come and get her, and after that last photo I did go and get her. It was really nice sharing this experience with her – having to get up to go to work sucks so at home she seldom joins me.
A high look to the northwest.
There was a fair bit of movement to the aurora, which always makes for a more impressive show.
The next photo of a “river” of aurora was shot with the camera laying on its back on the ground, so shooting straight up, with a 15-second exposure.
At 02:25 Cathy and I went back to the RV, and I took this final photo of our cabin on wheels, “painting” the rig with a bit of light from my headlamp.
This was an excellent trip, and there’s quite a bit more I’d like to share with you, but this aurora show was an easy way to start.
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Much in envy for those northern lights views… and great to see that you guys got out for a long week of RV camping at a spot you’ve mentioned several times before. How great to come back to the home on wheels on a chilly early morning knowing the heat can kick on and make for a peaceful warm slumber for the rest of your sleeping hours. Do the fur friends ever request to go out with you or is that too dangerous, too distracting for you?
Thanks, Brad. I never let the dogs join me for these aurora and star shoots – it’s just too dangerous when I can’t have my full attention on them.
So beautiful, thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Patsy. Mother Nature does some fine work thereabouts 🙂