March 2018

21st-25th. Abisko in Swedish Lapland. An unforgettable trip to see the Aurora Borealis with Lights over Lapland. We were so lucky. Fresh snow fell before our arrival. Our group was positive, funny and led by a skillful photographer, Sarah Skinner. The setting was beautiful, with the U-shaped valley of Lapporten and the frozen Lake Tornestrask (the size of Singapore) visible from our hotel. The surrounding birch forest was wonderful for snowy walks. Although the temperature reached -20C at times, we were well dressed and did not feel the cold. The first night was cloudy, and we had a glimpse of the aurora. On the second and third nights we experienced amazing geomagnetic storms, with purple and pink patches racing through the mobile green streaks. On the second storm night I put my camera down, lay on the frozen lake and experienced one of the most spectacular things I have seen. We saw little wildlife. A new bird for me was a HAWK OWL that flew off before I could approach it closely. A waxwing frequented the Abisko Canyon. There were semi-wild reindeer in the area, and three approachable moose roamed close to the hotel.

From the hotel dining room.

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Lapporten.

22 March - sledding with huskies.

Aurora on 22 March. Lesson from tonight - never leave a filter on the lens - several of my photos were ruined by Newton's rings, concentric rings caused by interference between the filter and lens elements.

Corona overhead.

Aurora on 23 March from Lake Tornestrask. Click here for a video of the geomagnetic storm that night. The head of the tour company said 'We have been fortunate enough to see lots of great auroras over the years, but the display that you witnessed on the 23rd of March was truly spectacular and was among the very best displays of the entire aurora season!'