The Northern Lights are probably what you would call a bucket list item, well at least I would. Some time again I outlined my two stage plan in an attempt to see the aurora borealis, but owing to cloud cover stage one in Scotland proved a disappointing fail. To be fair, Scotland was always a long shot. I’d always thought that stage two would prove more successful, and I wasn’t wrong.
To be fair to Scotland, and more specifically the Isle of Skye where we stayed for the most part, there was actually an aurora whilst we were there … there was just too much cloud to see it. I stood in the cold and the dark at the back of our wonderful little cottage for what felt like hours, just praying for break in the clouds long enough for me to at least get a glimpse Alas my efforts were in vain.
Onto stage then, Iceland. I’d been keeping a track of a range of aurora forecasts in the days between our Scotland and Iceland trips. They made good reading, the KP scale (1 lowest, 9 highest) was at a 4. There had been reports and photos of aurora sittings just outside of Reykjavik at only KP2, so at KP4 I thought we might be onto a winner, we just needed any cloud to bugger off.
Friday, the night of our arrival in Iceland seemed to provide us (the gf and I) with the best opportunity for spotting the lights over the course of our stay. We decided to book a tour group for that evening thinking that they would know all the best spots for sittings and have access to pro tools which would allow them to monitor cloud cover etc. Well we weren’t wrong. After setting off from central Reykjavik at 10pm, but 11pm we were stood at the side of a road in the middle nowhere witnessing what I can only describe as natures very own light show. It was magical!
Woah, hang on there, that Friday in March was the 15th, Paddy’s day wasn’t until the Sunday, so whats with the post title?
Well, even after witnessing the lights on the Friday, as sad as this sounds, I wasn’t entirely happy with the images I’d captured of the lights. I realise it should all be about witnessing the lights and appreciating how lucky I was to even catch a glimpse, but my crooked mind couldn’t get over some of the photos other people on our tour had captured. Even those that had openly declared they knew sod all about photography had taken amazing pictures whereas mine were shite by comparison.
I didn’t sulk over the next couple of days, far from it, the next two days were packed with a whale watching tour and a tour of the Golden Circle. But deep down I was secretly praying that I might get a second chance, that something might stir in the sky’s above.
You probably know whats coming, but just let me tell the story for dramatic effect.
Come Sunday evening we made our way to an Irish bar to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. The scenes were happy ones. An old drunk fella got up on stage, played three cords of a song no one knew and fell backwards over the drum kit. Potentially the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, especially after he had only moments before declared
“I shouldn’t even be up here”
We drank, sang, ate some incredible Irish stew which was laid on for free and chatted to some of the locals. It was a craicing night – I make no apologies for that joke … you’re welcome.
Once back at the apartment the mrs duly fell asleep, but on the off chance I thought just have a peak at my phone. I hadnt checked the forecasts all day and as it was our last night I had nothing to lose. For weeks now I’d been following a fella up in Scotland who posts facebook updates about impending auroa’s in Europe. He’s very good, and no sooner had I logged onto his page I saw a stream of updates from throughout the day …
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and then …
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and then …
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Crap, what time was it? 10pm. I grabbed my tiny tri-pod plus my new camera and bolted. I knew there was a little park not too far from our apartment where it might just be dark enough to spot a slash of green through the night sky, but I didn’t even need to get that far …
The KP scale that night in Reykjavik reached 8, 8 out of 9. That’s bloody high and bloody rare. The aurora was visible throughout the whole city. I snapped about for 15 minutes or so thinking it might disappear, but it didn’t shift. Confident it would remain for a little while long I ran back to the apartment and woke Esther from her post Guinness induced slumber. Bleary eyed she threw on her coat and staggered outside and looked up … we didn’t really say anything for a while, we just walked and looked skyward. Words weren’t really needed. I snapped a few more pictures and then we walked back to the apartment and went to sleep. How apt that the sky had turned green for St Patrick’s Day.
Mission accomplished :)
Talk about the luck of the Irish, Neil!
The Northern Lights continue to fascinate me, and with EVERY photo is see, it increases my NEED to see them for myself in real life! Your photos are gorgeous, I especially love the one by the cars looking up!
Kate – CanuckiwiKate recently posted..Old Friends, New Me: Pre-trip Jitters about Returning Home
@Kate -Yeah we were so so lucky, I still struggle to believe what happened on that Sunday. In terms of finding them for yourself, head to Iceland around Oct/Nov when there’s no moon and you’re in with a chance. Fingers crossed for you!!
This is awesome! I wonder if I’ll ever be able to find red skies on St David’s day…
Arianwen recently posted..Paraty: the Brazilian Venice
Woop! I was there too! Glad you got your chance to take more pics.. they look great. I think we got really lucky to see such a good display!
zzella recently posted..Seeing the Light – Aurora Hunting in Iceland
@Zzella – Wasnt it the most amazing sight!? That night will live long in the memory.
Yep.. most definitely awesome in the purest sense of the word! And now that’s done, I would like to check out Iceland in summer next time :-)
Zzella recently posted..Mad Blizzardish
Insanely jealous of everyone and anyone who have seen the Northern Lights. Number one on the life to-do list! Great pictures as well
Cottage Escapes recently posted..Lakes in Cumbria: The stunning waters of the Lake District
And I am green with envy! Had a failure in January so need to try again!
@Wilbur – This was 2nd time lucky for me, so hopefully you’ll be just as lucky second time around.
Great post!
I live in Yellowknife, Canada which has some great Northern lights. Most of my friends have gotten bored with the lights but I still can’t help but spending hours outside staring up a the sky…even when it’s -40 out. They always give off an amazing vibe that makes you feel so small and insignificant (in a good way)
jason recently posted..Ever wonder how they get float planes out of the water?
@Jason – That sounds incredible! I don’t think I could get bored of them either. How many times a year (roughly) do you think you get to see them?
Seeing the auroras (both of them) is one of my desires before I die. Being tied to a desk job does give me little opportunity to take a vacation and enjoy this wonder of nature (or other wonders for that matter). Amazing images and I felt like I was really there. Also, I have never actually seen any post with the images of Aurora Australis. Would love to see those too. Thanks for this awesome post.
Dave Winston recently posted..Find Your Dream Property in St. Maarten with Island Real Estate
@Dave – thanks Dave. I know what you mean about a desk job (I have one too) but if its a dream of yours I would go for it, or at least start working towards it. The lights are totally worth it!
Dying to see the Northern Lights!! Maybe this year is the year :)
@Chloe – Fingers crossed for you! Certainly one of my fave experiences in recent memory.
That must be a really wonderful night, as you can see the Northern Lights even in between city lights! I did manage to see one when I went to a fjord in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. Incredible sight!
Andrew Darwitan recently posted..Your Complete Guide to Northern Lights: Where, When, How
@Andrew – One of my best travel experiences ever! Glad you got to see them too. Thanks for commenting.
Absolutely fantastic photography!! Green Skies sounds amazing, I’d like to bookmark these place for my next St Patrick’s day.. Thanks for Sharing
Beautiful! I can’t wait to go see the aurora myself :-D
The Family Voyage recently posted..Ireland with Kids, Part 6: On the Ring of Kerry
Oh that’s simply magical! Definitely bucket list material
You take remarkable pictures. Sadly, I was not there
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never thought of Iceland as a destination for northern lights, for some reason Alaska (nothing against Alaska) always was stuck in mind.
I’m not glad I found your post.
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights and Iceland!
You must be so stoked! Awesome timing. If I go, it’ll be cloudy for a month :P
~bibi
JooJoobs recently posted..Leather Grades
Nice! We went to Iceland in August so no chance for northern-lights that time of the year. Hopefully we will experience that next time we visit Iceland :)
This is awesome. I’m planning a trip to Iceland in October and hoping to catch the Northern Lights as well.
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Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never thought of Iceland as a destination for northern lights, for some reason Alaska (nothing against Alaska) always was stuck in mind.
I’m not glad I found your post.
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights and Iceland!
You must be so stoked! Awesome timing. If I go, it’ll be cloudy for a month :P
John
It’s beautiful… something I envy you for :D
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