D700 Mugs

The gorgeous red tones of the Jukkasjärvi church standing out against the blue skies and snowdrifts of a late winter day.

All I can hear when I look at this photo is the raucous din of Reine's ever-present seagulls, seen just to the right of the dock as they swoop and play just above the near-freezing waters of the fjord. This was such a change from the day before, when clear blue skies and golden light filled the fjord, but it was still a stunning scene. Even as the snow moved back in and completely blocked my view of the mountains, I wondered why I had to leave.

White blankets the forests and the wide expanse of Lake Palojärvi beyond. Finnish Lapland is such a magical place in winter.

Seriously, what place has a more epic coastline than this? Fjords and mountains as far as the eye can see.

It was crazy how warm an atmosphere the SnowCastle's IceBar had...even though it was -5C and made entirely of ice!

Reindeer take off from the starting gates during one of the reindeer races at the 2013 Sami Easter Festival in Kautokeino, Norway.

The mountains of Svolvær, in Norway's Lofoten Islands, reflected in the icy cold water of the fjord on a clear March day.

Which would you rather do: walk through an autumnal forest (like in my last photo) or stroll down a snow-covered lane in the everlasting golden hours of Lapland's winter?

The moraine-filled valley of the Tasman Glacier in the South Island's Mackenzie Country. It was hard to even comprehend how big the glacier, now starting many kilometers behind us, once was.

The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing...and a slightly better view than the naked Finnish men in front of the sauna nearby! Read more on my blog (and see more photos of the aurora) at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/riverfront-saunas-and-northern-lights-at-hotel-kultahovi/ Taken: Over the River Juutua in Inari, Finland. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

From a very fun session of steel wool twirling in Captain Burke Park at Brisbane's Kangaroo Point.

This shot was from a very fun steel wool burning session under the Story Bridge in Captain Burke Park. This one is being spun above Anita's head rather than out in front of her.

The orange lights of the Story Bridge casting a glow on the calm waters of the Brisbane River below.

To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track!

The 2013 edition of the Icehotel, with its entryway's ice glowing brighter than the full moon above. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f2.8 lens ISO100, 15s @f13

Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/

This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! Read more about what my trip was like at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/

Some last-minute preparations for the Saturday morning ski races at Moogerah Ski Zone!

Lake Moogerah reflecting a gorgeous sunrise on Easter Monday. I had to drag myself out of my tent when I saw colour in the sky, but it's always worth it.

The brilliant colours of an Easter weekend sunrise reflecting on the ripples of Lake Moogerah.

After kayaking from the main island of Korcula to this smaller one in the harbour, it was definitely time for a dip in the crisp, clear waters of the Adriatic.

We could see hints of sparkling green from our room, but when we finally found this little lookout between the trees we were stunned at how truly gorgeous Emerald Lake was. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens Location: Emerald Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Elabana Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Lamington National Park, and with good reason. Not only is it only a 3km hike from the O'Reilly's Rainforest Resort (even though we took the long way and took 8km to get there), but it's also ridiculously photogenic!

Moraine Lake was every bit as stunning as it is said to be. This was one of my first glimpses of the lake before I climbed the Rockpile (to the left) and it's still one of my favourites.

On our first morning at Emerald Lake Lodge, we woke up to drizzly rain and low clouds. Only a few hours later, this was the view. How could this place not be one of my favourite views in the Rockies?

You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. Camera: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

A small clearing in the woods on the path around Emerald Lake. We couldn't have asked for a better day to be wandering in Yoho National Park.

The deep blue and emerald waters of Moraine Lake sparkle in a panoramic view seen from "The Rockpile."

This shot, captured near the Shorncliffe Pier in Brisbane, almost seems like a sunrise scene. In fact, it was taken around 9pm under a full moon and towards the lights around the Brisbane Airport area. Pretty interesting what a little long exposure can do!

While Athabasca Falls may not be the tallest waterfall I’ve ever seen, it was one of the more powerful. Here, the Athabasca River, which had seemed so calm upstream, raged through a canyon much narrower than the river had been, creating a massive din and spray that got all over my camera no matter what angle I tried to shoot from. Fortunately, there were a lot of angles to choose from — either side of the falls or from the bridge between them — because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get my camera wedged in between the tourists (myself included) that flock to the Canadian Rockies in July and August. See more: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/roaring-athabasca-falls/

The sun peeks through the trees on a gorgeous morning at Emerald Lake. It's hard to believe, but the lake really is that emerald-coloured. There's so many amazing angles on it as well -- particularly because you can walk a full 6km circuit around the lake -- that you can easily spend an entire day exploring there.

The Story Bridge lights up underneath the huge fireworks of Riverfire in September 2010. Taken from a spot at Wilson's Outlook that I had to claim 12 hours prior to the show!

Looking at displays like this never gets old -- even after staking out a spot from 7am to make sure I had the best view in the house!

One of my favourite spots: Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. Had I not been with a group of photographers -- and had my ND400 filter not gotten stuck on shortly after I took this -- I could have stayed at this spot all day, watching the waves and the occasional person that tried to brave them.

I knew the view from the top of the Banff Gondola was supposed to be good, but I didn't realise quite how good it was until we went up on a picture-perfect day. Given our other two days in Banff alternated between clouds and storms, I think we timed it quite well!

There are so many stunning places to hike in Banff in summer, but if you're looking for the most sweeping view with the least walking, the top of Sulphur Mountain is definitely your best option. A quick gondola ride and a kilometre of walking along the boardwalk gets you this amazing view up the Bow River!