Northern Exposure Pins and Buttons

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/

The Milky Way stretches across the sky above the Fingal Head lighthouse in northern New South Wales. We were lucky to be able to see the Milky Way at all, since it was intermittently raining in between patches of completely clear skies.

Very unique artwork for your wild spirit animal

Step into the kingdom of style with our 'King Panda Majesty' t-shirt collection. Rule the fashion realm with regal flair as you adorn yourself with the majestic presence of our crowned panda designs. Crafted with premium quality materials and adorned with intricate details, these tees are fit for royalty. Embrace the elegance of the panda kingdom and make a bold fashion statement wherever you go.

Inspired by the fictional The Brick in Cicely Alaska, from the classic tv show.

Cool and beautiful design

Late on the evening of Christmas Day, we headed out to Lake Minnewanka to see if we could get a glimpse of the northern lights, which were supposed to be quite strong. Not only did we see them dancing above the peaks at the end of the lake, but we also caught a glimpse of Santa heading back home to the North Pole (or it could have been a meteorite -- you decide)!

When we started the night shooting at Vermilion Lakes, we had no idea it would end with watching the aurora dance high above Lake Minnewanka! The clouds, which had been much heavier earlier in the evening, gradually cleared and let us see this gorgeous display all across the northern sky. It was the strongest auroras I've seen yet in Alberta!

My friend and I had joked that a perfect day in Iceland would include (1) blue skies as we went four-wheel-driving in Landmannalaugar, (2) a colourful sunset at Seljalandsfoss, and (3) the northern lights over Skógafoss. Seeing this meant we were 3/3 for the day! Shooting here was actually quite difficult, since the aurora was so bright and the waterfall was so dark. Trying to light paint it just resulted in lighting up the huge amount of spray coming off the falls. But really, we got to see the aurora over one of Iceland's more famous waterfalls. It doesn't get much better than that.

The aurora dances above the spectacular Goðafoss in northern Iceland.

The brilliant red of Wangi Falls in the late afternoon. We spent the full day visiting all the waterholes of Litchfield National Park, but saved Wangi Falls for last, knowing that it was likely to be well-lit during golden hour. It was, and the low sun really emphasised the red colour that is so prominent in Litchfield.

A gorgeous little spring babbling through the forest just in front of the lodge where I stayed in Äkäslompolo (Lodge 67ºN).

The rapids of the Abiskoeatnu River in Sweden's Abisko National Park rushing towards the light of the midnight sun. While the sun was up at midnight, this evening in July was actually the first day the sun dropped below the horizon at Abisko for more than 50 days. This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to www.lapland.travel.

North Country Girl

The dual falls of Florence Falls in the Northern Territory's Litchfield National Park. Even in the middle of dry season, it was full of water and an awesome spot to spend the afternoon -- as evidenced by the many, many people splashing around me and into the pool as I took this photo!

Northern Exposure famous quote. This amusing design serves to your loved ones. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or just want to show off your sense of humor, This t-shirt is the perfect way to do it. So why wait? Shop now and let the world know that you're not afraid to laugh! For strong character persons only!

The rapids of Jäniskoski on the Juutua River near Inari in early July. Quite the difference from how I first saw it in mid-March! This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to http://www.lapland.travel.

Waves crash over the Giant's Causeway...but not the one in Northern Ireland! While these rocks are quite similar, they are located a world away in Fingal Head, Australia.

North Country Boy

"KBHR, Cicely, Alaska" signifies a connection to the radio station KBHR located in the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, which is famously depicted in the television series "Northern Exposure."

The gorgeous village of Reine, bathed in the blue of winter twilight. This image was captured around 9.15am; the sun wouldn't peek above the horizon until 11am.

The Oulankajoki, still in flood in June (although not nearly as high as it had been the month before as the bulk of the snow melted), races through Kiutaköngäs Falls in Oulanka National Park.

After running a night sky workshop near Bragg Creek, I was concentrating on the road home when someone in the back seat piped up and said, "Is that the northern lights?" Sure enough, I'd been so focused on the road that I'd missed the green lights dancing above! I wasn't driving for very long after that, since Cowboy Trail luckily faces north and has plenty of room to pull off and set up a tripod!

Auroras dance over the Porjus Station House in Swedish Lapland. They were still clearly visible even though it was full moon!

My first glimpse of Reine after I arrived on the 12.30am ferry. It was so quiet -- no seabirds squawking, no fishermen unloading boats -- yet so brilliantly lit that the rock walls of the fjord were visible even though it was a new moon. Taken in: Reine, Lofoten Islands, Norway Taken with: Nikon D700 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

The aurora dances across the sky just below the Big Dipper. I captured this scene just outside the small town of Fludir, near Gullfoss waterfall at the end of the Golden Circle.

We got so lucky with the light on our second morning in Reine. Not only did we get 2 hours of continuous sunrise/sunset, but we got it in one of the most stunning places in the world. I considered it especially lucky that I was wandering around only to be assaulted by the smell of drying fish. And why's that lucky? Well, fishing and drying stockfish is one of the main lifebloods of the Lofoten Islands, but I didn't think we'd actually see any evidence of it on this trip as it was too early in the year. Apparently, this fisherman started his season early! I know this rack looks empty, but if you squint to the left you'll see the hanging fish on the next rack over.

Northern Exposure famous quote. This amusing design serves to your loved ones. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or just want to show off your sense of humor, This t-shirt is the perfect way to do it. So why wait? Shop now and let the world know that you're not afraid to laugh! For strong character persons only!

Northern Exposure famous quote. This amusing design serves to your loved ones. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or just want to show off your sense of humor, This t-shirt is the perfect way to do it. So why wait? Shop now and let the world know that you're not afraid to laugh! For strong character persons only!

When we hopped in the car around 11.30 on this evening in October, heading west, we could see the beams through the light pollution of Calgary. It just got better as we got further outside the city limits! I think my partner James may actually believe that the aurora is green now (since every other time he's been out aurora hunting it's looked white)! Settings: 6s @f4, ISO 3200

Huge waterfall in Northern Norway (Malselvfoss, to be exact) or a giant field of fluffy meringue? You decide!

Like so many places I'd visited in Lapland, Porjus (near Gällivare in Swedish Lapland) featured a perfectly calm lake that reflected the sun as it slowly dipped towards the horizon. While this looks like it could be midnight sun, this photo was actually taken around 9.30pm; now that the midnight sun period has finished, Lapland is losing light at a rapid 20 minutes per day! This particular place in Porjus is also a special place for me, since I have now visited it three times (twice in winter and once in summer), and it was the first place I ever visited in Lapland. You could say that it was the catalyst for the many Nordic adventures I've had over the last few years!

Reine turns a gorgeous blue colour as dawn slowly comes to Northern Norway in winter. The lights of the town have yet to turn off -- after all, why would they need to? It was only 9am!

There's a reason drives around Norway take so long. Yes, it could have something to do with the winding roads that dangle a speed limit in front of you as an unattainable goal, and maybe a little to do with doddering caravans too. But I think a lot of it has to do with stunning scenes like this! Location: Between Olderfjord and Repvåg on the road to Nordkapp in northern Norway Camera: Nikpn D750 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and Lee Big Stopper filter

Everywhere you look in the fjords of northern Norway, there seems to be another waterfall. I've had to pass so many of them because I know I'll never get anywhere otherwise, but this one, with such a photogenic old stone bridge spanning it, was unmissable. Location: E8 south of Tromsø, Norway Camera: Nikon D750 w/ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and Lee Big Stopper filter

The northern lights swirl over the beach at Gardur on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. I kind of like how a slight bump to my tripod resulted in a sky full of shooting stars too!