A Real Hoot

It all happened by accident, but it’s a photo for the archives. Turning our attention away from the different bird noises somewhere not too distant, I shot some trees against the faint glow of the aurora, and when I zoomed in to check my focus, it was an owl perched a top the tallest tree on the hill. How’s that for a little lady luck.

The Cutest Neighbours

The night was looking good enough to last minute shuffle pick-up times for guests. This was evidenced by my beautiful neighbours walking into their driveways as I was getting ready to leave the house. Seeing a few of them outside looking up, shivering, but enjoying the aurora dance for a few minutes just outside their homes is a neat feeling, and in the midst of the madness of the busiest time of the year, it’s a nice little fresh love and appreciation to this life.

Momentary Clarity

It wasn’t supposed to end this way. We weren’t supposed to run to clear skies early and cling to temporary clear breaks the rest of the way. It was forecast to be the opposite, but sometimes you take what you can and appreciate the moments of surprise anyway.

Blind Faith

I think that’s what most would call a belief in the weather forecasts for Yellowknife.
Tonight we made an all or nothing bet on some satellite imagery and trends. This led to the usual amount of decision anxiety, and not long after, a few truly unbelievable and breathtaking hours. (Again).

The Best Connections

A guest’s previous aurora chases brought back a connection to Norway and Iceland tonight. But you could say a howling winter wind in the countryside and fresh snow on the sides of the highway also brought that connection to Iceland tonight. Those chases began almost 10 years ago for her, right around the same time the wonder of just how magical this could possibly be had begun for me. Now, 11 and a half years later and really not much has changed.