It's Friday, May 10th, and we expect a legendary solar storm and Aurora, "a long-lasting geomagnetic storm that reached a rating of G5—the highest level on the geomagnetic storm scale, and one that hasn't been seen since 2003" (NASA). This is a Big Deal!
The bad news is clouds and Fog. All my photo-nerd friends confirm that the weather keeps the Aurora out of play. So, I went to dinner with my dear friends and family instead of chasing magical light. Here is me sticking the lemon on the first try at dinner. Chef Modi is more excited than me. I'm thinking of adding this skill to my LinkedIn profile.
10:30 PM | I get a DM from Susan Magnano (https://www.instagram.com/susan_magnano/), my photo-nerd friend and professional light-chaser; she knows where we can see the Aurora despite the foggy weather. I begin to pack my kit and leave shortly after that. I met with Susan, and we plotted a course to get to where her friends are, with plans to stop along the way to check locations. Every location on our route is a fog city. Below is the view of the Monksville Reservoir. The Fog was thick.
11:30 PM | We're at Greenwood Lake hunting for water with good exposure to the Aurora, but everything is fogged out, and we're driving through that Fog, which adds to the adventure.
At this point, we have no idea if we will see the Aurora. We needed to get above this foggy stuff, so we agreed to go to Mount Peter, a great spot to see the valley below and get above the Fog.
12:33 AM | The night's first turning point. Location: Bellvale Creamery, a famous mountaintop ice cream shop with an incredible view. This was a popular location, where many people used smartphones to capture this stunning view of the Aurora dancing above a fog-filled valley. We meet the local astro-nerds, who share stunning images of colorful overhead bursts during the peak two hours earlier.
I had never witnessed an aurora like this before, and I couldn't believe it was happening right in my backyard.
1:30 AM | It's time to move on and descend back into the valley and the Fog. As we descend back into the valley, everything is still fogged-out. We drive back to Monksville Reservoir and through Sterling Forest. But we have nothing but foggy roads and zero sky visibility.
2:57 AM | The night's second turning point was when we returned to Harriman State Park. We're heading to a pond/swamp over another mountain pass, where I often capture atmosphere and light. Bingo, this location is a go. I capture multiple image compositions, hoping one will look fabulous in Lightroom. My favorite from this location is the Bigger Dipper shining through Fog mixed with the Aurora, image #2.
The Quest for the Perfect Shot
The chase continues as we descend back into the valley and drive from location to location, looking for fogless water with a good view of the Aurora. This is when we start doubting ourselves again as we return to fog city. Since we are in Harriman State Park (our home turf), we have at least a half dozen locations in mind and travel to each one.
3:24 AM | One of my favorite locations inside Harriman is Lake Skannatati and Lake Askoti, two lakes next to each other divided by Seven Lakes Drive, the road that goes from one end of Harriman to the other.
Skannatati is empty, and as we drive into the parking lot, I can see the Fog rolling in. This means we will be shooting foggy Aurora shots, and I'm stoked.
Lake Skannatati was the ideal location. The rolling Fog mixing with the Aurora colors was magical. The purple Fog utterly blew me away. As someone who loves "atmosphere," I give this a 10/10.
4:15 AM | We continue chasing, still high on adrenaline and sugar, and don't want the magic to end. The massive Lake Tioratti is covered in Fog with no Aurora exposure.
4:44 AM | I notice how good Lake Nawahunta looks as we approach Silvermine Lake. Nawahunta is another favorite location because of the framing with the sky and treeline mixed with the lake's reflection, which always looks good in a frame. We are between Morning Nautical Twilight and Morning Civil Twilight, and I am rushing to capture as many frames as possible before the stars and Aurora disappear.
I minted this image to celebrate the June DEGEN reset and Warpcast. "Purple Paradise" is currently available on Zora.
Lake Nawahunta never disappoints—the perfect location to finish our chase. Look at the purple Fog!
6:10 AM: The chase is over! The sun is rising, and I am exhausted but content. As I drive through Harriman on my way out of the park, I notice the fantastic atmospheric light and must stop at the south end of Lake Sebago, one of my favorite locations. This is the same location where Susan and I witnessed a fantastic sunset rainbow during peak fall foliage. Image below.
This light is fantastic, and I am tempted to continue the chase. However, after taking this photo, with my brain on autopilot, my tired inner voice says, "Go home."
6:45 AM | As I arrive home, dead exhausted, the atmosphere and light are excellent, taunting me for not continuing the chase— the view from my driveway.
Reflections on the Experience
As I look back on the fantastic night spent chasing the Aurora, here are some of the key lessons I learned:
1. Always say yes to adventure, even when the outcome is uncertain.
2. Surround yourself with friends who share your passion for photography and are up for adventure.
3. Keep pushing through challenges until you find the magic.
4. Be familiar with different compositions to capture great low-light shots.
5. Prepare a photography "go bag" and keep your batteries charged.
6. Take advantage of the legendary conditions by shooting until your camera and personal energy are drained. Give it your all.
Conclusion
Will I ever have an experience like this so close to home again? Who knows? I am incredibly grateful to have friends who take me on adventures, especially when I need them the most. This night reignited my passion for photography, and for that, I am thankful. If you've read this far, head to ZORA and treat yourself to "Purple Paradise." Thank you so much for reading my story.
