Tag Archives: MN North: Boulder Lake

The Northern Lights Glowed Last Night!

Year 6

I finally left the house last night at 1:45 am to watch the Northern Lights. The technical numbers and clouds were underwhelming till that point, but when the skies cleared and Ovation Aurora jumped into the 60 Gw range (power reading), I jumped out of bed. It was cool, clear and crisp last night out at Boulder Lake (28F), but the views were fantastic. While there never was a huge dance, conditions rose to a G2 Aurora storm levels and the intensity of the “green glow” was amazing to both the camera and the naked eye.

Don’t forget, tomorrow (Saturday, the 26th) is my free book rollout event … Snowy’s Search for Color. There will be both children’s book readings, and I will give adult bird talks which focus upon winter birding in the Duluth area. (see details)

These two images were taken about 3 am.

Fire and Ice … Dawn and Dark!

Year 5, ,

What a way to bookend a day … Ice Ducks at dawn, and the Aurora Borealis at midnight!

ICE!
Before dawn I went down to the big lake and positioned myself out on an ice flow in an attempt to take “ice flight” shots in the early morning light. There is a small stream that is underground for a few hundred yards just before emptying into Lake Superior near Lester River. The warm water attracts ducks during the winter.

FIRE!
Thought I would be going to bed after watching a movie with Molly, but Lady Aurora thought differently. My Aurora Borealis app sounded an alarm at 8 pm, and shortly before 9 pm I drove 35 minutes to Boulder Lake. Had to slog through knee deep snow for about 1/2 mile to reach my vantage point out on the ice. The temperature dropped from 13 to 7F by the time I left shortly before midnight. This image was taken a bit before 11 pm.

I will admit to being tired this afternoon. I was out of the house by 6 am to beat the sunrise, and did not call it quits till fifteen minutes after midnight. No complaints, just tired!